Senate Committee Urges DRAP To Boost Drug Quality and Regulate Formula Milk
— August 31, 2024
ISLAMABAD (AIA) The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination on Friday urged the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to enhance drug quality and regulate formula milk.
The committee meeting, chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chisti, reviewed DRAP’s performance over the past five years.
During the meeting, DRAP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Asim Rauf gave a review of the organisation’s responsibilities, accenting its part in licensing and manufacturing drugs for import and export, along with regulation of quality assurance and quality control of drugs countrywide. He noted that sales, storage, and distribution of drugs fall under the ambit of the provinces.
Rauf highlighted DRAP’s recent integration with Pakistan Single Window for import and export licenses and the implementation of an e-Office system. He explained that DRAP is a self-sufficient organisation, with a budget of 2.33 billion rupees for the financial year 2024-25.
He said that DRAP is also working on establishing an Export Directorate to facilitate the exports of therapeutic goods. The committee expressed concerns that the quality of drugs produced countrywide does not meet international standards and urged DRAP to focus on enhancing the quality of drugs. DRAP officials noted that the authority has recently filed a law suit against ‘GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)’ for manufacturing ill-quality drugs.
The committee also inquired about the number of multinational pharmaceutical companies that are currently working in the country and the authenticity of rumours about the exit of these companies from Pakistan. DRAP officials clarified that 30 multinational companies are working in the country and that no company has left; however, there has been a merger of several companies.
The chairman raised concerns about the regulation of formula milk. Rauf responded that formula milk companies have filed a suit in the High Court against the inclusion of formula milk in DRAP. The court ruled in DRAP’s favour. He recommended that DRAP proceed with regulating formula milk, provided the companies have not appealed to the Supreme Court.
Rauf also suggested initiating an awareness campaign to educate mothers about the detrimental effects of formula milk.
Karachi
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