Functions of the laboratory

1. To analyse drugs, medical devices, herbal drugs, cosmetics, raw materials, drug adjuvant, packaging materials, drug delivery systems, systemic diagnostic agents and any other product that may be deemed to constitute a drug or cosmetic product
2. To Analyse food, food packaging, materials and raw materials used in the manufacture of food
3. To develop methods of analysis of products regulated by the authority.
4. To train and offer consultations to learning institutions, individuals, firms and any other organization who perform activities related to quality control of products regulated by the Authority.
5. To coordinate the activities of small mobile mini-Laboratories stationed at major ports of entries and in some regional hospitals. These Laboratories are particularly stationed at Dar es Salaam Harbours, and in the following Regional Hospitals Arusha, Mtwara, Musoma, Dodoma, and Mbeya.

Organization of the Directorate
The directorate comprises of five departments which collectively are the food analysis, microbiology, medicines and Cosmetics Analysis, medical devices testing and technical support department. The functions performed by each department are elaborated below:-

1. Food Analysis
   
   1. Analyse food products for complience with standards.
   2. Develop analytical methods.
   3. Prepare food laboratory guidelines, manual and Standard Operationg Procedure (SOPs).
   4. Participate in the preparation of food standards.

   MiniLab picture is needed...........!!!!!!!!



2. Microbiology Deparment
   This deparment deals with microbial analysis of all samples submitted to the laboratory that require these tests. The aim of microbial analysis is to ensure absence of harmful microbes and presence of required number of non-harmful microbes in product samples that are not sterile. The specific activities of this section are as follows:-

   Picture from Microbiology department is needed...........!!!!!!!!

   1. Microbial Limit Test:
      To detect amount of non harmful microbes in a product sample as per the specified monographs standards.
   2. Sterility Test:
      To determine absence of micro organisms and their toxins in various sterile samples e.g. injectables, eye preparations e.t.c.
   3. Microbial Contamination Test:
      To determine the absence of harmful/pathogenic micro organisms in product samples.
   4. Preservative challenge test:
      To determine the effectiveness of preservatives in product sample.
   5. Bioassay:
      Quantitative determination of active ingredients in various product samples brought to the Laboratory.