Since medicinal drugs are xenobiotics, in 1992 CEOHS decided to include work with pharmaceuticals in its program. The work of this unit includes

a) Quality Control of pharmaceuticals manufactured within Palestine

Our interests here are twofold; consumer protection and encouraging the upgrading of pharmaceuticals produced in Palestine. The Unit performs a variety of quality control tests on pharmaceuticals drawn from a variety of sources including, pharmaceutical company warehouses, pharmacies, hospitals and other institutions. The tests use the United States Pharmacopoeia and British Pharmacopoeia as reference pharmacopoeias. Physical, chemical, and microbiological analysis are routinely performed on samples. The quality control program has had a markedly positive impact on the quality of drugs manufactured by Palestinian companies.

The results of our quality control analyses are summarized in Certificates of Analysis that the drug companies and other institutions submitting samples use in reviewing their drugs. These certificates, which include details of all of the tests performed, help companies adjust their production methods to upgrade the quality of their products.

Institutions use the information in these certificates to review drugs for possible purchase.

In 1995 the Ministry of Health of the Palestine National Authority (PNA) gave full accreditation to CEOHS as the official pharmaceutical and chemical quality control laboratory for the PNA.

b) Development work

We are regularly commissioned by companies to develop new methods of analysis for their drugs and/or perform in vitro equivalence tests using foreign manufactured drugs as the standard.

c) Training

CEOHS has trained individuals, technicians and students in laboratory analysis in all aspects of is work, i.e. environmental and pharmaceutical. It also sponsors training programs with others in most of its specialties, workshops and seminars are part and parcel of such activities.

d) Exchange Visits

CEOHS has arranged in the past, and will continue in the future to arrange for visits by managers of local firms to pharmaceutical manufacturers abroad. One such visit to France was instrumental in introducing important changes in the concept of good manufacturing practice in the local industries. Frequent visits by foreign experts to local firms and the CEOHS have also taken place. The government of France has played an important role in fostering such exchanges.

e) Bioavailability and Bioequivelence

Two of the CEOHS staff were trained to perform bioavailability and bioequivalence test in a French university during the late spring and summer of 1992. Such tests are crucial in determining the quality of drugs and assuring the medical profession of their efficacy. When such testing begins, clinical work will be done at a local hospital and analytical work at the CEOHS.