Pharmaceutical Companies Directed To Ensure Avaliability Of Essential Medicines

ISLAMABAD,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th july,2016) : The drug registration board on Friday directed the medicines' firms to ensure the free availability of life-saving and essential medicines in the market for the needy patients.

The board in its 261st meeting held here also warned the companies, manufacturers and importers for any disruption in supplies or shortages of life-saving and essential medicines in the country off and on.

Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Saira Afzal Tarar instructed that the decision of the board be implemented at earliest and in letter and spirit. The board discussed the matter in detail and valuated the situation that some of the essential and life-saving medicines, including anti-tuberculosis, drugs are in short supply or partial availability in the market.

It was therefore, decided in the meeting that all the concerned manufacturers importers and the registration holders of such medicines be directed to submit current quarterly report for importation of drug substances, manufacturing report and sale record, to the Pharmaceutical Registration Division and Quality Assurance Division immediately, but not later than seven days.

This should be the practice that within seven days at the end of each quarter the said report be submitted as directed, it was decided. Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and the ministry with the support of provincial governments and Federal agencies will initiate stern action against the defaulters, hoarders, black marketers or those spreading false information, aggravating the situation.