ISLAMABAD:
The Upper House of parliament approved the Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA) Bill 2012 on Wednesday, bringing an end to a dispute between the provincial and federal bureaucracy.
The passing of the bill, which was moved by Minister for National Regulation and Services Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, will settle the sensitive matter regarding the control of drugs between the provinces and the federal government.
The Senate Standing Committee on National Regulation and Services had unanimously approved the final draft of the DRA Bill 2012 in August.
As per the bill, a DRA will be established to address all components of drug manufacturing, sales and distribution.
Furthermore, a Drug Policy Board will also be formed, and will be headed by the national regulations and services secretary.
The DRA will be headed by a chief executive officer (CEO), who will be appointed on merit by the prime minister on recommendation of members of the Drug Policy Board.
The board will consist of 16 members, out of which six will be nominated by the provincial governments, while two will be picked from pharmaceutical industry. “Moreover, six members would be health experts and have reasonable educational background to oversee the assigned tasks, while two doctors from the Pakistan Army would also be included in the board,” according to the DRA Bill.
It further states that the board will operate with autonomy and will not be interfered by political or bureaucratic influences.
Interior minister’s briefing
Interior Minister Rehman Malik also briefed the house over extensive issues pertaining to security, child activist Malala Yousafzai and the situation in Balochistan.
In a first, Malik officially accepted that a majority of those killed in drone attacks were innocent people. He said that only 20% of those killed in drone attacks were militants, while the rest were innocent people.
Malik said there 336 drone attacks were conducted in Pakistan in which 2,300 people have been killed, while 96 cross border attacks were launched from Afghanistan.
He also said he has announced a bounty for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan. “The will of the nation is even higher after a cowardly attack on a courageous and brave child Malala …we promise Malala that we won’t spare such cowards,” he added.
While responding to a query about the rumored North-Waziristan operation, Malik said no decision had been made yet.
He further requested the chair to give him time for an in-camera briefing over the turmoil in Balochistan where, he added, he would reveal some “astonishing facts”.
Meanwhile, senate decided to form a committee, comprising of lawmakers from all parties, which would compile a detailed report over the current situation of flood-hit areas as well as flood victims. The committee will be formed in consultation with leader of the house Jahangir Badar and leader of the opposition Ishaq Dar.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2012.
COMMENTS (1)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Political interference:
The DRA will be headed by a chief executive officer (CEO), who will be appointed on merit by the prime minister on recommendation of members of the Drug Policy Board.
The board will consist of 16 members, out of which six will be nominated by the provincial governments, while two will be picked from pharmaceutical industry.
“Moreover, six members would be health experts and have reasonable educational background to oversee the assigned tasks, while two doctors from the Pakistan Army would also be included in the board,” according to the DRA Bill.