Prime Minister Orders Nationwide Assessment of Medicines as National Reference Laboratory Opens

Prime Minister N. Uchral attended the opening of the National Reference Laboratory for Medicines and Medical Devices and directed relevant authorities to assess medicines available on the domestic market within one month using the laboratory's expanded testing capacity.

The Prime Minister said strengthening the quality and safety of medicines will remain a government priority and pledged support for further developing the laboratory's operations and workforce. He noted that the facility will play an important role in protecting the public from substandard and counterfeit medicines.

The laboratory was established through cooperation between the Government of Mongolia, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization.

WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala noted that one in ten medicines used in low- and middle-income countries is either substandard or counterfeit. He said the new laboratory will strengthen Mongolia's capacity to ensure the quality and safety of medicines and help protect public health.

Health Minister E. Batshugar said the opening of the National Reference Laboratory for Medicines and Medical Devices marks a significant step forward in strengthening oversight and regulation of Mongolia's pharmaceutical sector. He noted that the facility will increase testing capacity to 4,000–5,000 samples annually and support compliance with international quality standards.

The laboratory was modernized and commissioned with financing from the World Bank.