Afghanistan Opens Advanced Drug and Food Laboratory in Herat

DID Press: Ministry of Public Health of Taliban says it has purchased advanced laboratory equipment worth nearly $5 million to upgrade the drug and food quality testing facility in western Herat.

Health officials in Herat said the newly acquired equipment will significantly enhance the capacity of the province’s quality control laboratory, enabling more comprehensive testing of pharmaceuticals and food products.

Previously, the facility was limited mainly to food testing, but with the new installations, its scope will expand to include full-scale pharmaceutical quality analysis as well. Authorities say this will improve regulatory oversight and provide greater convenience for traders, importers, and local producers.

According to officials, the upgraded laboratory is expected to reduce the need to send samples abroad for testing, accelerating quality control processes for both domestic and imported goods.

Local health authorities emphasized that cooperation between the government and the private sector will be essential to ensure the effective operation and long-term development of the facility.

The expansion is seen as part of broader efforts to strengthen quality standards and prevent the circulation of substandard medicines and food products in the market.