On 15.05.2024 an awareness workshop on the role of Quality Infrastructure (QI) for the development of the pharmaceutical sector in Armenia was held in Yerevan. The workshop was attended by approx. 50 experts from the pharmaceutical industry, representatives from Ministries of Economy and Health and by international partners from a German Government funded Technical Cooperation project implemented by the German National Metrology Institute (PTB). Quality Infrastructure is the system put in place to ensure products and services are safe and of high quality. It covers everything from standardization and conformity assessment (testing, inspection and certification) to accreditation, metrology and market surveillance. The workshop marked the official closure of the implementation of an action plan, that was developed in a participatory way with stakeholders from the pharmaceutical sector in Armenia in June 2023 and held under the auspices of the Association of Manufacturers of Pharmaceuticals (ArPharMa) and the Scientific Centre of Drug and Medical Technology Expertise. The identified action contributes to overcome QI-gaps in the pharmaceutical sector, such as enhancing the competence of quality control laboratories and promoting their participation in proficiency testing schemes, application of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in sterile production. Furthermore, the Quality Management System of the Scientific Center as the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) was reviewed. The activities contribute to the Government of Armenia’s five-year plan for the development of the pharmaceutical Industry.
