DRAP allows clinical trials of locally manufactured ventilators

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza has said that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has allowed the clinical trials of locally manufactured ventilators. In a statement on Thursday, the special assistant said that the DRAP has permitted the local production of raw material of cholorquine as part of efforts to cope with coronavirus challenge. The drug regulatory authority has also permitted the clinical trials of plasma therapy for coronavirus treatment. More than fifty companies have been allowed to produce sanitizers to contain the spread of the pandemic. The companies will prepare quality sanitizers as per the directions of the World Health Organization (WHO).

I established DRAP Expert Committee on ventilators last wk. At a great speed they have already produced “Fast Track Acceptance Test Procedure for Locally Developed Mechanical Ventilators for COVID-19”. Thanks. Document will be available at https://t.co/BhAEJB0fTl <278>

— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) April 9, 2020

Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said that the further designs of ventilators have been received by the engineering council and DRAP. “It has decided to adopt the British standard for ventilators,” he added.