ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) on Tuesday rejected allegations of corruption and nepotism leveled against it by the Pakistan Drug Lawyers’ Forum (PDLF) and Pakistan Young Pharmacist Association (PYPA).
Earlier, representatives of PDLF and PYPA had accused DRAP administration of corruption.
They had alleged that that corruption worth Rs 25 billion was being committed annually in the DRAP under the garb of registration of medicines.
“DRAP is working to raise the profit of ‘Club-50’ that comprises multinational pharmaceutical companies. The local industry is being deliberately neglected. Around 91 assistant directors were recently hired in the DRAP. The selection criteria was relaxed to hire blue-eyed persons,” they had said.
While rejecting the allegations, DRAP said that the PDLF and PYPA representatives were trying to stall the reforms process undertaken by DRAP.
“Such attempts clearly show that they are trying to protect the vested interests of elements who are involved in manufacturing of illegal, banned and unregistered drugs,” DRAP said.
“PYPA head Muhammad Usman, owner of Everest Pharmaceuticals, Islamabad is allegedly involved in manufacturing illegal drugs.
Whenever, action is initiated by DRAP, the ministry or agencies, against these elements, they attempt to put pressure on officials for their vested interests so that the cases against are withdrawn,” the statement said.
Published in Daily Times, November 8th 2017.