Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Agency-Drug Testing Laboratory (CARPHA-DTL), Dr C. James Hospedales (second right) displays the certificate of accreditation presented by Chairman of the Accreditation Council of the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC), Simon Roberts (centre), during a ceremony held recently at CARPHA’S Hope Gardens offices in St. Andrew. Others (from left) are former Head of Department at CARPHA, Dr. Lucette Cargill; Technical Officer for Accreditation, CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), Stephen Farquharson; and Acting Head of CARPHA, Sonia Thomas Gordon.
According to a press release from the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), the Caribbean Public Health Agency-Drug Testing Laboratory in Jamaica (CARPHA-DTL) has been certified by the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC), as the first pharmaceutical laboratory in the island.
Accreditation of CARPHA for laboratory testing and calibration techniques follows the ISO 17025 standard and marks a significant endorsement of the agency’s capabilities to test the quality of finished pharmaceutical products to ensure the safe and consistent care of patients.
The range of products includes capsules, tablets, creams, ointments, suspensions, syrups, and lotions, among others.
The JANAAC certification will empower the agency and allow it the oversight in testing and prevent illegal/counterfeit prescriptions, drug, medicines and other pharmaceuticals circulated in Jamaica and throughout the wider region.
As the single regional public health agency for the Caribbean, CARPHA’s international accreditation for laboratory testing will mean that access to healthcare and essential quality medicines/pharmaceutical products will be improved and be of higher standard.
CARPHA’S Executive Director, Dr. C. James Hospedales, says the agency stands to benefit significantly from the certification, which, he notes, distinguishes it from other pharmaceutical quality-control facilities.
He says the agency plays a critical role in providing valuable information that informs decision-making and influences policy across the region to strengthen health systems, thereby promoting healthy lives and well-being.
Dr. Hospedales, who was speaking at the accreditation ceremony held recently at the lab’s Hope Gardens offices in St. Andrew, says that the initiative aligns with CARICOM’s strategy of advancing initiatives for health and wellness by ensuring access to safe, reliable medicines.
Readers Bureau
Edited by Jesus Chan
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