Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) is seemingly turning a blind eye to many unregistered medicines being sold openly in markets putting masses’ health in hazards.

According to sources, a big private pharmaceutical company is selling over 70 various kinds of medicines without registering with DRAP officially.

The information stated that these non-registered medicines also inscribed price tag as well as molecules on them while DRAP authorities are taking no action against such malpractices. A senior official in the authority said on condition of anonymity that senior management has complete information about such illegalities being practiced in the market and it intentionally acts reluctant to forbid sales of such medicines.

He added that such companies have a heavy influence due to which DRAP authorities were sparing them from any legal action.

Moreover, the official revealed, the prices of such unregistered medicines are also higher than the prices of other brands’ similar medicines.

The official said that the management also has been informed by some internal officials of the regulatory authority regarding unlawful sale of medicines on medical stores.

“It is a matter of public health and DRAP should register these medicines,” he suggested adding that if some of them don’t fulfil the set legal criteria for registration, then they should be banned immediately to save people’s lives.

Functioning under the supervision of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination Ministry as attached department, the major mandate of DRAP is to ensure access of safe, quality and efficacious medicine at affordable prices and earliest availability of new treatment opportunities for people of the country by proving them pure medicines.

Moreover, an effective and result oriented management and professional working environment with equivalent growth opportunities and transparency in health sector was also part of basic functions of the authority.

The official, however, said that it seems that these responsibilities merely exist in rules with no practical implementation.

Not only this, the company also has uploaded the list of these medicines on its official website which is accessible for everyone.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry appointed Dr Sheikh Akhtar Hussain as chief executive officer of DRAP on Thursday.

According to the available information, Dr Sheikh Akhtar Hussain has showed himself as dead in an investigation by National Accountability (NAB).

As per reference had been filed in NAB, Dr Akhtar Hussain was accused for corruption of Rs 51 million.

The ministry appointed him after approval from federal cabinet and consent of Prime Minister Imran Khan. A senior official in the ministry wondered that at the time when PM Imran Khan is making claims of transparency and merit, such key appointment is clear contradiction of his claims.

DRAP Spokesperson Akhtar Abbas remained unavailable for comment.

Published in Daily Times, December 31^st 2018.