LAHORE: In a recent Press briefing, General Secretary, Naman Farooq said that the performance of the Directorate of Health & OTC Division, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has remarkably improved.
Earlier, detailed presentations were given to DRAP Chief Execuitve Officer, Asim Rouf and Director Health & OTC Dr. Fakhar Ud Din Amir. Alternative Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers Association (APHMA) has requested to grant issuance of Form-7 of alternative medicine out of queue for major exporters. DRAP considered their request for issuance of Form-7 on a fast track basis. A policy will be announced very soon in this regard. Upon the request of APHMA, the DRAP has decided to change the FIFO (First-In, First-Out) system by adopting a separate checklist for homoeopathic, Nutraceuticals, and Herbal/Unani products and it will be uploaded on DRAP website. This will be helpful to manage huge pendency and issuance of form 7 to alternative medicine manufacturers. Separate GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) guidelines for homoeopathic, nutraceuticals and Herbal/Unani products were also under consideration, upon the request of Dr. Zubiar, Chairman APHMA.
In the meeting, DRAP also decided not to compromise on quality of medicine in the best interest of public health and surprise GMP inspection would be conducted to evaluate quality control for the manufacturers of homeopathic medicines in combination form. Naman Farooq further said that the present management of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan was performing excellently.
-DN Report
Dr Muattar Hanif
The author is Editor at Dental News Pakistan and can be reached at newsdesk@medicalnewsgroup.com.pk
