870 drug samples examined by SDTL

KARACHI- The technical staff of Sindh Drug Testing Laboratory (SDTL) has analyzed 870 suspected drug samples from all over the province of Sindh, which took place after the upgradation of Provincial lab.

Sindh Drug Testing Laboratory (SDTL) got upgraded under the directives of Sindh Health Minister, Dr Azra Pechuho and the Additional Chief Secretary for Health, Dr Usman Chachar.

Director, Sindh Drug Testing Laboratory, Syed Adnan Rizvi, confirmed the news regarding inspection. Out of 870 samples, 37 were found to be unregistered, 4 were substandard and unregistered, 2 were misbranded, 2 were spurious and 3 were notified to be substandard.

He further informed that with the posting of four analyzers (pharmacists), installation of new equipment and completion of renovation work, the provincial drug testing laboratory has become operational, once again.

Earlier, certain injectables were seized by SDTL and were sent to Central Drug Testing Laboratory (CDTL), run by the federal government, for testing. However, Adnan Rizvi mentioned that SDTL would also introduce an Injectable Drug Testing Facility in Sindh.

It was also revealed that 33 sanctioned posts at SDTL and Provincial lab were still vacant, including 10 posts for analysts or pharmacists, lab assistant, technicians and other support staff, which was compromising working capacity of the testing lab.

Currently, suspected drug samples are being analyzed at the lab on a daily basis.