ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on Thursday to review reforms in the health and pharmaceutical sectors.
He directed that a high-standard drug testing laboratory be established in Islamabad to ensure the quality of medicines meets international standards.
The prime minister also instructed the launch of mobile hospitals to provide healthcare facilities in the outskirts of Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and Balochistan.
He ordered a coordinated operation, in consultation with provincial governments, against counterfeit drugs, emphasizing that fraudsters must not be allowed to endanger people’s lives.
He stressed the need for a comprehensive plan to regulate and develop the pharmaceutical sector in collaboration with provincial authorities.
Shehbaz Sharif also called for identifying and taking action against Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) officials involved in fraudulent activities within the pharmaceutical sector.
He emphasized the importance of medical research to boost pharmaceutical exports and urged the acceleration of reforms in DRAP.
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Furthermore, he insisted on appointing experienced and reputable experts to the DRAP policy board on merit. Strengthening and prioritizing the effectiveness of the Drug Pricing Committee was also highlighted.
Federal ministers Nazir Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Health Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, and senior officials attended the meeting.
The prime minister was briefed on the progress of health and pharmaceutical sector reforms. The meeting was informed that the registration process for locally manufactured drugs through a digital system was nearing completion.
Additionally, it was reported that consultations on the National Drugs Policy were ongoing and would soon be presented for approval.
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A review was conducted on the appointment of 94 new drug inspectors and the performance of the existing 25 inspectors. The prime minister emphasized that transparency must be ensured in the recruitment process of new drug inspectors.
The meeting was also informed that Pakistan’s current pharmaceutical export volume stands at $500 million, and the Ministry of Health is implementing reforms, including expanding research facilities, to enhance exports.
The establishment of an Export Directorate within DRAP is in its final stages, aimed at boosting pharmaceutical exports.
The Health Ministry also briefed on initiatives to strengthen the surgical sector, ensuring it meets international standards and further increases its export potential.
