ISLAMABAD: In a recent Press Conference, DRAP Spokesperson told that 3,169 inspections were carried out in various sites in the last three months and a total of 5,072 violations of DRAP Act 2012 and Drug Act 1976 were registered. These action were undertaken by the National Task Force (NTF) under the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
In addition, the DRAP with the Provincial Health Departments took the approval of 243 FIRs on sale of sub-standard, un-registered and overpriced medicine while the NTF seized 714 stocks of medicine throughout the Country over various violations, a Spokesperson of DRAP told.
It is pertinent to mention here that the NTF was constituted to combat spurious, substandard and overpriced medicine on the directions of the Prime Ministers’ Special Assistant on National Health Services, Dr. Zafar Mirza. It comprised of federal and provincial drug inspectors who campaigned against spurious and falsified medicine throughout the Country.
The DRAP Spokesperson told that during this comprehensive activity, 243 permissions were granted to lodge FIRs against the culprits. Stocks of 714 medicines were seized for quality and safety concerns under the DRAP Act 2012 and respective drug sale rules of the provinces.
The Spokesperson said that a total of 55 cases of sub-standard drugs, 237 cases of unregistered drugs and 18 cases of overpriced drug sales were registered in this short period of three months.
“It was a well-coordinated effort to curb the menace of unregistered, spurious and sub-standard medicine and clear the market from harmful and smuggled drugs,” the Spokesperson highlighted.
In his statement, Dr. Zafar Mirza showed satisfaction over the performance of the NTF under the DRAP and said that “we are committed to provide quality and safe medicine to the people.”
Dr. Zafar Mirza made it clear that any element involved in the sale of overpriced and substandard medicine will be dealt according to law as protection of public health is our main objective here.
The Chief Executive Officer Asim Rauf said that the NTF as per its mandate has strived hard to provide quality medicine to the general public diligently and took prompt actions against unregistered, adulterated and substandard therapeutic goods.
-DN Report
Dr Muattar Hanif
The author is Editor at Dental News Pakistan and can be reached at newsdesk@medicalnewsgroup.com.pk
