Quality Assurance Support

International Quality Assurance Programme (IQAP)

The International Quality Assurance Programme has been operating since 1995. It forms part of the services provided to assess and improve, when necessary, the performance of drug testing laboratories. The programme also seeks to harmonize the quality of work provided by the national laboratories and participation is open to all national drug testing and forensic science laboratories.

International Collaborative Exercises (ICE)

The UNODC`s ICE programme, part of IQAP`s aims to assist drug testing laboratories worldwide in assessing their own performance and taking corrective actions, when appropriate. As part of the ICE, UNODC provides participating laboratories with:

• unknown test samples (seized materials or biological specimens) for identification and analysis;
• reference samples (needed for the analysis), and
• an overall evaluation of results.

Publications

• Brochure on the International Quality Assurance Programme (revised and updated version to be published in the mid 2009)
• Protocol for the International Collaborative Exercises within the International Quality Assurance Programme (revised and updated version to be published in 2009)
• Guidance for the Implementation of a Quality Management System in Drug Testing Laboratories
• Validation of analytical methodology and calibration of equipment used for testing of illicit drugs in seized materials and biological specimen (to be published in 2009)
• Recommended Guidelines for Quality Assurance and Good Laboratory Practices
• Glossary of Terms for Quality Assurance and Good Laboratory Practices (revised and updated version to be published in 2009
• International Collaborative Exercises (ICE) 2007 summary report
• International Collaborative Exercises (ICE) 2008 summary report