Pharma sector: DRAP to introduce ‘identification code system’
Move meant to control sale of spurious drugs
Move meant to control sale of spurious drugs STOCK IMAGE
ISLAMABAD:
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has decided to introduce a ‘global unique identification code system’ in a bid to eradicate the sale of spurious drugs.
The proposed bar code rules have been shared with stakeholders including Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), Pharma Bureau and Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association (PCDA) for their input and suggestions, said an official from the Ministry of Health.
A joint meeting took place on November 11, 2015 with stakeholders and now amendments for the ‘Bar Code implementation’ are being finalised.
To another question, the official stated that the Action Plan 2014 for Polio Eradication (NEAP) was being implemented nationwide with the approval of the prime minister. “To facilitate the implementation, the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) has recently approved a PC-I worth approximately Rs33 billion, thereby providing required resources to end the indigenous polio transmission.”
In line with the NEAP, a vigorous joint operational and communicational plan has also been finalised for the upcoming low transmission season.
“A civil-military coordination mechanism has been established to access all children in FATA,” said the official, adding that through the same mechanism, so far, a total of seven special Supplementary Immunisation Activities (SIAs) have been conducted in Bara Tehsil of Khyber agency with the support of the UAE government.
For the fool-proof protection of Polio teams, operational guidelines on security have been issued to all provinces and areas along with a security plan; an essential component of UC level micro-planning.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2016.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has decided to introduce a ‘global unique identification code system’ in a bid to eradicate the sale of spurious drugs.
The proposed bar code rules have been shared with stakeholders including Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), Pharma Bureau and Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association (PCDA) for their input and suggestions, said an official from the Ministry of Health.
A joint meeting took place on November 11, 2015 with stakeholders and now amendments for the ‘Bar Code implementation’ are being finalised.
To another question, the official stated that the Action Plan 2014 for Polio Eradication (NEAP) was being implemented nationwide with the approval of the prime minister. “To facilitate the implementation, the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) has recently approved a PC-I worth approximately Rs33 billion, thereby providing required resources to end the indigenous polio transmission.”
In line with the NEAP, a vigorous joint operational and communicational plan has also been finalised for the upcoming low transmission season.
“A civil-military coordination mechanism has been established to access all children in FATA,” said the official, adding that through the same mechanism, so far, a total of seven special Supplementary Immunisation Activities (SIAs) have been conducted in Bara Tehsil of Khyber agency with the support of the UAE government.
For the fool-proof protection of Polio teams, operational guidelines on security have been issued to all provinces and areas along with a security plan; an essential component of UC level micro-planning.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2016.