WHO GMP certification for Lina Manufacturing

Saturday, 14 January 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Confirming its capacity to manufacture high quality dry powder capsules for inhalation in the treatment of asthma, Sri Lanka’s first-ever centre for respiratory care formulation and manufacturing, Lina Manufacturing, received the prestigious World Health Organization GMP certification.

Good Manufacturing Practice or GMP are practices and systems of manufacturing, quality control, and quality systems covering the manufacture and testing of pharmaceuticals or drugs including active pharmaceutical ingredients.

“GMPs comprise 23 different aspects of production and testing that can impact the quality of a product. Many countries have introduced legislation to ensure pharmaceutical and medical device companies follow GMP guidelines and procedures.” explained Rohan Wettasinghe Director/General Manager of Lina Manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd.

“Prevalence of asthma, a respiratory disease is very high in Sri Lanka and had no alternative but to import treatments, severely taxing the island nation’s limited foreign exchange reserves,” he elaborated.

In response to this vital need, a respected physician, Dr. Anil Goonatillaka engaged a team of professionals, renowned pharmacologists, production and quality assurance experts and other specialists, to drive forward this project establishing Lina Manufacturing to manufacture locally, respiratory care dry powder for inhalation (capsules).

Lina Manufacturing requested and received technical assistance from University of Moratuwa which designed the inhaler device required to deliver medication to patients.

The only Sri Lankan manufacturer of respiratory care products, Lina Manufacturing, is a solely owned subsidiary of Akbar Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. The company which currently manufactures six products that include steroids, bronchodilators, and various combinations of them, recently dispatched its first export order promising greater demand and higher exchange income while earning Sri Lanka pride prestige through this pioneering venture.