The Authority Begins Quality Testing of Drug Samples for African Countries
The Authority has announced the expansion of its quality testing program to include drug samples from various African countries, alongside local and imported medications. This initiative aims to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of all pharmaceutical products available in Ethiopia.
The Authority’s Drug Quality Testing Laboratory is accredited with ISO 17025 and has received a Maturity Level 3 audit from the World Health Organization, achieving an impressive score of over 97 percent. This rigorous standard reinforces the laboratory’s commitment to protecting public health by ensuring that medicines meet strict safety and quality criteria.
Atlaw Abate, the head of the medicine quality test laboratory lead executive officer emphasized that ensuring the safety of medicines is one of the authority’s most critical responsibilities. The quality inspection process involves checking for harmful substances, such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and nitrosamine impurities, which should not be present in any medication. He reassured the public of his commitment to addressing drug safety concerns through comprehensive quality testing.
Recently, the laboratory has received samples of HIV and family planning medications from IGAD member countries, including Mozambique and Guinea, for quality testing. This collaboration underscores the Authority’s dedication to ensuring access to safe and effective medicines across the region.
