Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) and COMSTECH have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing regulatory capacity, promoting knowledge exchange, and fostering scientific and technological collaboration among OIC member countries. The agreement represents a significant step towards strengthening the regulatory infrastructure for pharmaceutical manufacturing and vaccine development in Pakistan, while supporting national advancement in global regulatory frameworks.
The MoU was officially signed and marked at a ceremony hosted by DRAP. The COMSTECH delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, a distinguished scholar and Mustafa (PBUH) Prize laureate. DRAP’s CEO, Dr. Obaidullah, along with the authority’s directors warmly welcomed the delegation, articulating DRAP’s commitment to a strategic vision centered on robust regulatory practices, innovation-driven industry growth, and strengthened technical capacities.
Highlighting priorities in Pakistan’s national regulatory framework, DRAP’s CEO emphasized the necessity to bolster the country’s infrastructure, particularly concerning the indigenous manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and vaccines. He further outlined ambitious plans for establishing a high-standard Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory specifically designed for vaccine testing, underlining DRAP’s central role in fostering a supportive ecosystem for health sector innovation.
Prof. Dr. Iqbal Choudhary, representing COMSTECH, underlined key strategic initiatives and collaborative avenues available through the partnership. These include hosting roadshows designed to spotlight the significant research and development capacities of local institutions, facilitating capacity-building training programs, and supporting participation in the OIC Technology & Innovation Portal. Additionally, Prof. Choudhary mentioned COMSTECH’s comprehensive scholarship programs for Pakistani nationals and highlighted collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening regulatory standards to bolster intra-OIC trade relations.
The cooperation also includes providing technical expertise and guidance, assisting Pakistan in achieving the World Health Organization’s ML-3 regulatory maturity level. Such an achievement would signify substantial progress in meeting global regulatory standards, significantly benefiting Pakistan’s health infrastructure and pharmaceutical capabilities.
This collaboration between DRAP and COMSTECH marks a substantial milestone toward enhanced science-based regulation, capacity-building, innovation, and greater self-reliance within Pakistan’s healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, ultimately supporting the overarching goal of improving public health outcomes.
