Caribbean Public Health Agency gets lab testing accreditation

Drug testing facilities at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) have been awarded an international accreditation at a ceremony in Jamaica.

The testing services of the Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL) have now been certified to comply with ISO17025:2005 standards by the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC).

This is a ringing endorsement of CARPHA ability to test the quality of pharmaceutical finished products such as capsules, tablets, creams, ointments, suspensions, syrups, and lotions.

Sonia Thomas-Gordon, acting head of CARPHA-DTL, welcomed the news.

“This is a momentous occasion. Pursuing accreditation shows the Agency’s commitment to providing the highest levels of quality testing to clients, and the same high level of quality in business practices,” she said.

“Several agencies have contributed to the development of the laboratory and to the success of the accreditation process.

“CARPHA-DTL is extremely grateful for the technical and financial assistance provided by key supporters such as PAHO/WHO and CROSQ.”

The CARPHA-DTL will be introducing a new surveillance programme in 2018 where the laboratory will monitor medicines, such as those used for the control of non-communicable diseases.

Chairman of JANAAC, Simon Roberts, congratulated CARPHA on its achievement.

“CARPHA is now inducted into the ‘accreditation hall of fame’ as our first accredited laboratory in the pharmaceutical field.