Proscribed: Quack adverts banned

Adverts were believed to have been aired without govt and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan’s permission

LAHORE:

A drug court on Tuesday imposed a ban a quack advertisements that have become a permanent fixture across TV channels.

The adverts were believed to have been aired without obtaining the government and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan’s permission.  The court also ordered medical stores operating under the supervision of unqualified personnel to be closed down. Issuing a detailed judgment, the court directed concerned authorities to initiate legal proceedings against pharmacies operating illegally.

The verdict was handed down in connection with a petition by Pharmacist Hashim Raza. The petitioner told the court that many pharmacies were operating under the supervision of unqualified personnel who had obtained forged documents.  He said incompetent, inexperienced and untrained personnel were often hired to run stores, at the expense of citizens’ lives.

Meanwhile, Raza said, quacks had their hands full with attracting people’s attention by publicising substandard healthcare practices through advertisements.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2^nd, 2016.