Absence of DRAP: Over 64,000 locally-made drugs without access to international market

NA subcommittee settles on calling the new drug oversight body ‘agency’.

ISLAMABAD:

About 64,000 drugs made by local pharmaceuticals do not have access to the international market because the Drug Regulatory Agency of Pakistan (Drap) does not have a legal status. This was stated by Ministry of National Regularisation and Services (MNRS) Secretary Imtiaz Inayat Elahi on Thursday.

He was briefing the National Assembly Sub Committee on National Regularization and Services. Addressing the participants, Elahi said the ordinance of Drap will lapse if a bill for it is not passed by October 15 this year.

To appoint the head of Drap, the ministry will soon invite applications for the post, for which a potential candidate must have 20 years of experience in pharmacy and a PhD degree, he said, adding that they will also introduce a drug pricing policy “soon”.

On the occasion, the members of the committee gave approval to the name Drug Regulatory Agency.

The body is being formed to regulate the manufacturing of drugs in the country.

They also highlighted the need to increase the number of drug inspectors in the country and change the policy of imposing fines.

On this, MNA Muhammad Usman Advocate, who was heading the committee, said the establishment of this agency will secure the drug manufacturing process in the country.

This will ultimately benefit the people, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2012.