Senate panel wants drug prices policy reviewed

Seeks report on implementation of drug regulations in ICT

Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination in its meeting has asked the ministry to review the drug prices policy and take steps to make them affordable and also taking measures for quality inspection.

The committee also decided to call IGP Islamabad and Chief Commissioner Islamabad in the next meeting to take information regarding implementation of drug regulations in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh chaired the meeting held at the Parliament House on Friday.

The committee also asked for regular verification by drug inspectors regarding all procurement and supplies. The panel discussed at length the matter of fake clinics and dispensaries operating in the rural areas of the country resulting in increased fatality rate in the country and of fake degrees of doctors in different parts of the country.



The ministry will submit a detailed response in the next meeting regarding the competence of medical staff working in the federal area and the four provinces.

Among others the meeting was attended by senators Kalsoom Parveen, Dr Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi, Sana Jamali, Secretary of the ministry, and senior officials from PMDC and DRAP.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2018.