Health dept to file cases against 13 medical firms

Cancels licenses of five medical stores situated in Quetta

QUETTA: The Health Department Balochistan on Sunday approved to register cases against 13 pharmaceutical companies in the drug court for producing counterfeit medicines.

The department has also cancelled licenses of five medical stores in the provincial capital.

The decision to file the cases was made in a meeting chaired by Chairman Quality Control Board on Sunday. Provincial Health Minister Meer Naseebullah Marri and Secretary Health Abdul Majid Abro approved the registration of cases against 13 medicine companies in the drug courts, for allegedly producing counterfeit medicines.

Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan Aliyani has already issued clear directions to the Drug Regulatory Authority to launch crackdown against companies and medical stores involved in selling fake medicines.

Meanwhile, the Quality Control Board in its meeting on Sunday allowed owners of the 13 pharmaceutical companies to present their case before the panel but after not receiving satisfactory answers, the board decided to cancel license of five medical stores and approved action against 13 companies in the drug court.

The health department has also cancelled license of five medical stores in Quetta after distributers couldn’t submit adequate information regarding the medicines being sold at their stores.

The board also directed all pharmacists to ensure attendance at their pharmacies otherwise action would be taken against them under Drug Act 1976 and Drip Act 2012. The quality board also recommended relevant authorities to ensure warranty bills in all medical stores while the medical store owners would be precluded from issuing bill to all customers.

Similarly, the panel also directed all drug inspectors to keep close watch over medical stores and companies.