KARACHI: A clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine Jinhua Qinggan Granules (JHQG) for the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infection (AURI) has concluded, with its closing ceremony held simultaneously in China and at the Center for Bioequivalence Studies and Clinical Research (CBSCR), Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi.
The primary objective of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of JHQG in patients with AURI and generate scientific evidence to support the product's registration.
Addressing the closing ceremony held in China, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah, Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, highlighted the importance of clinical trials and their role in advancing evidence-based healthcare.
He said the trial was designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of Jinhua Qinggan Granules in patients suffering from acute upper respiratory tract infections.
According to Prof. Raza Shah, the study lasted four days and was led in Pakistan by the University of Karachi and in China by the Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The clinical trial was conducted simultaneously in China, Pakistan and Jordan and was sponsored by a Chinese company.
Highlighting the role of CBSCR, Prof. Raza Shah said the institution is a leading research component of the Dr. Panjwani Center and has completed bioequivalence and pharmacokinetic studies in accordance with national and international standards.
He described CBSCR as a premier and credible Pakistani institution for bioequivalence, bioavailability and clinical studies, adding that the facility also houses Pakistan's first clinical trial unit capable of conducting studies in accordance with global regulatory requirements.
Prof. Raza Shah said that through continuous research and institutional commitment, CBSCR is dedicated to serving as an independent service provider for clinical trials, including preclinical studies. He added that the center maintains its own pool of healthy participants to facilitate the smooth and timely execution of trials.
He further said CBSCR offers its services to national and international pharmaceutical companies and other industries.
