Bahawalpur: Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia on Tuesday visited the Bahawalpur Drug Testing Laboratory and reviewed its facilities, testing procedures, and operational performance. In-charge Drug Testing Laboratory Dr Muhammad Asad Abrar and Director Health Services Dr. Syed Tanveer Shah were also present on the occasion. During the visit, the Commissioner received a detailed briefing on the laboratory’s facilities, modern drug testing procedures, advanced analytical equipment, quality assurance standards, and ongoing operations. Inspecting various sections of the laboratory, Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia directed the officials concerned to make the drug testing process more efficient, transparent, and timely to ensure the availability of safe, authentic, and high-quality medicines for the public.
He stated that the primary objective of establishing drug testing laboratories was to ensure that medicines meet international quality standards and to safeguard public health. The Bahawalpur Drug Testing Laboratory would play a vital role in ensuring the quality of medicines supplied not only to government hospitals but also to private hospitals and other healthcare institutions across the region.
Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia said the Punjab government places the protection of public health among its highest priorities and that there would be no compromise on the quality of medicines. He emphasized that no one would be allowed to endanger public lives through the manufacture, distribution, or sale of substandard or counterfeit medicines. The Commissioner further directed the authorities concerned to align all stages of the drug testing process with modern international standards while improving transparency, efficiency, and turnaround time. He said these measures would strengthen quality assurance and help ensure the provision of safe and reliable healthcare services to the public.