Senate panel concerned over rising quackery

Summons officials of respective councils in the next meeting.

ISLAMABAD:

The Senate Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation on Wednesday expressed reservations over the growing number of unauthorised medical practitioners imperiling the lives of common people in the country. 

The committee met here at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Farooq Naek.

The Drug Regulation Authority of Pakistan’s (Drap) officials were of the view that practices, licensing and registration of such practitioners was regulated by respective health commissions and that the matter did not fall under the ambit of Drap. 

The committee was informed that Drap only dealt with matters related to enlisting of medicines manufactured or imported in the country and authorising their use by registered health professionals.

The homeopathic practice is governed by the National Council for Homoeopathy while Tibb falls under the regulatory control of National Council for Tibb. 

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Delegated legislation pertaining to regulation of alternative medicines in the country was scrutinised by the committee.  The committee chairman sought explanation from the Drap officials regarding regulation of homeopathic, Tibb and Ayurvedic practice and education in the country. 

The panel chairman sought the presence of officials of the respective councils in the next meeting and noted that Drap should not frame rules without consulting relevant councils.

The panel discussed agenda item number 1 and 2 on Point of Public importance regarding appointment of PAS officers as chief secretaries in the four provinces as well as in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. 

The establishment secretary informed the committee members that the matter was sub judice and the body could not discuss matters pending before the courts. 

The committee chairman asked the establishment secretary to present copies of petitions and comments filed in return by Establishment Division in the next meeting.