The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) on Wednesday, 4th December, 2024, launched its state-of-the-art National Medicines Quality Control Laboratory (NMQCL) and celebrated the facility’s ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation at a colurful ceremony presided over by Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda.
The double celebration started with a solidarity walk from Chilambula High Way to PMRA Head Offices in Area 5 for the official launch and thereafter proceeded to Crossroads Hotel for the official presentation of the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation certificate to PMRA by the Chief Executive Officer of the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS), Eve Christine Gadzikwa.
PMRA with funding from Malawi Government and Global Fund embarked on the construction of the Laboratory to address challenges related to Good Laboratory Practices, notably lack of space and absence of quality management system (QMS), in compliance with Section 79 of the PMRA Act, 2019.
Following completion of the construction works for the NMQCL, PMRA has made significant strides in strengthening its regulatory capacity, culminating in the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation of the Laboratory on 22nd February, 2024 by SADCAS.
The launch of the PMRA Laboratory marks a significant milestone in ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines in Malawi. The Lab’s ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation is a testament to PMRA’s commitment to international standards.
The ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation of the National Medicines Quality Control Laboratory enhances credibility, ensures reliable results, and boosts client confidence. It also opens doors to international markets and opportunities to test medicines for regional countries and UN organizations; and ultimately reinforces Malawi’s capacity to assure quality of medicines.
The NMQCL is established under Section 79 of the PMRA Act, 2019 as one of the five departments of PMRA with the objective of verifying the safety, quality and efficacy of medicines and allied substances which are manufactured in or imported into the country by persons who are authorized or licensed under the Act.