Islamabad: The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has successfully facilitated a significant advancement in Pakistan’s health sector by securing World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification for the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP)’s first drug testing laboratory. This achievement marks a milestone in the country’s pharmaceutical regulatory framework, enhancing its global standing and potential for increased exports.

According to Press Information Department, the Karachi-based laboratory will be under DRAP’s administration and represents a major step forward in the country’s regulatory modernization efforts. SIFC played a crucial role in overcoming both domestic and international challenges through strategic facilitation, ensuring seamless coordination with international stakeholders throughout the process.

The WHO accreditation is anticipated to bolster global confidence in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical quality and regulatory systems. This development is expected to lead to an increase in pharmaceutical exports and strengthen investor confidence in the country’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. Additionally, it will reduce Pakistan’s dependence on foreign laboratories by providing high-quality testing capabilities domestically.

This achievement highlights Pakistan’s progress in regulatory modernization and institutional strengthening, with SIFC’s effective facilitation being central to these advancements.