The ASEAN Pharmaceutical Working Group (PPWG) established the ASEAN Pharmaceutical Testing Laboratory Committee (APTLC) to enhance cooperation between the official pharmaceutical laboratories of ASEAN Member States in 2020. This initiative was taken to extend the cooperation and market integration and that has been ongoing within the PPWG.
Representatives of the ASEAN Pharmaceutical Testing Laboratory Committee (APTLC) from all 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS) participated in the Workshop that was held on the 19th -20th August 2021 to develop a 5 year work programme (2021-2025). The workshop was planned, developed, and moderated by ARISE Plus in cooperation with the ASEAN Secretariat.
The discussions focussed on the APTLC roles and responsibilities as outlined in terms of reference endorsed by PPWG in November 2020. The subjects discussed were organized in 3 thematic areas: information exchange, capacity building/institutional development and collaboration among National Pharmaceutical Testing Laboratories (NPTL). The topics had been previously identified through consultations that were conducted on line prior to the workshop. Extensive discussions were held to deliberate on the priorities and phasing in of the activities in preparation of the development of a viable 5 year workplan which would be implemented by the network of official pharmaceutical laboratories in AMS.
With the successful conclusion of this workshop, the APTLC is well prepared to proceed to adopt its 2021-2025 workplan and enhance practical collaboration between the official pharmaceutical laboratories in ASEAN Member States.
