Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhary has said that several unverified coronavirus testing kits have appeared in the markets, and this could put lives at risk.
In a tweet, the minister said that these unverified kits could even declare coronavirus-positive patients as healthy, thereby endangering their lives. He also called on the provincial governments and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to import kits after verifying that they are original, adding that the unverified kits should only be used once they are approved by Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
Earlier, Fawad Chaudhry had announced that the government would introduce locally-manufactured ventilators and testing kits in the next few days. He had told media that National University of Science and Technology (NUST) had developed a testing device which is being check by the DRAP for approval. He further said that Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) prepared low-cost ventilators in collaboration with NED and Pakistan Engineering Board, which will be forwarded to the drug authority for its input.
In a tweet, the minister said that these unverified kits could even declare coronavirus-positive patients as healthy, thereby endangering their lives. He also called on the provincial governments and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to import kits after verifying that they are original, adding that the unverified kits should only be used once they are approved by Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
Earlier, Fawad Chaudhry had announced that the government would introduce locally-manufactured ventilators and testing kits in the next few days. He had told media that National University of Science and Technology (NUST) had developed a testing device which is being check by the DRAP for approval. He further said that Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) prepared low-cost ventilators in collaboration with NED and Pakistan Engineering Board, which will be forwarded to the drug authority for its input.