Date:26/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/26/stories/2008092658500400.htm

New Delhi

Spotlight on quality control

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The Quality Council of India along with Bio-Rad Laboratories organised a seminar here earlier this week focusing on the need for upgrading and enforcing quality control in diagnostic laboratories in the country.

Principal adviser to Quality Council of India T. Venkatesh said: “Only one in a thousand laboratories is accredited, and the situation poses a risk to the public at large. Diagnosis is a crucial step in determining healthcare planning including medication prescription and it is imperative that we give it the attention it deserves.” Country manager of Bio-Rad Laboratories Dhiren Wagle said: “The objective is to generate awareness about quality control in diagnostic labs in India. Over the past few years Bio-Rad Laboratories has worked with various regulatory agencies to raise awareness on the issue.”