Policy approved: Chemists asked to ensure alternative power arrangements
Licences of five chemists in ICT cancelled over failure to comply.
According to the policy, only those chemists who have alternative power arrangements such as generators and UPS would be permitted to store or sell the vaccines. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad Capital Territory’s (ICT) Quality Control Board (QCB) on Thursday approved a policy regarding the sale of vaccines to help ensure the provision of safe medicines to patients.
According to the policy, only those chemists who have alternative power arrangements such as generators and UPS would be permitted to store or sell the vaccines.
The decision was taken at the 36th meeting of the QCB that was chaired by its chief commissioner in Islamabad and attended by the deputy commissioner, district health officer and a representative of the Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA), among others.
During the occasion, the QCB announced the cancellation of the drug licenses of five chemists after investigations revealed they were selling vaccines while having no makeshift power arrangements.
Al-Mustafa Medical Store, Life Care Pharmacy, Shabbir Chemist, Rawal Pharmacy and Raheem Medical Store were the chemists found guilty.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Drug Inspector Sardar Shabbir Ahmed confirmed directives had been issued to over 600 registered chemists in the ICT to make special arrangements for vaccine storage during power outages.
The chemists have been given one week to adhere to the instructions, failure of which will result in an order to stop selling the vaccines, said another official.
Ahmed added that vaccines for rabies, tetanus and insulin among others must be kept at temperatures between
two and eight degrees centigrade for 24 hours a day, seven days a week in order to maintain effectiveness of the medication.
He said chemists would be under strict surveillance, while those who did not comply would be raided and their drug licenses subsequently revoked.
The QCB has taken notice of the non availability of registered life-saving drugs and has recommended the DRA address this issue urgently in the interests of the public.
Ahmed stated that because certain life-saving drugs not manufactured in Pakistan were smuggled into the country illegally, the government was unable to keep a tab on the quality of these drugs.
As a result, during QCB’s meeting, the DRA had been asked to take steps to discourage the sale and purchase of these drugs while also demanding issuance of licenses for their manufacturing.
Ahmed, who is also QCB secretary, later presented various cases of contravention of the Drug Act, 1976. After a thorough evaluation, QCB approved prosecution in five cases, the culprits being Dawn Chemist, Life Care Pharmacy, Al-Mustafa Medical Store, Shabbir Chemist and Raheem Medical Store.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2013.
The Islamabad Capital Territory’s (ICT) Quality Control Board (QCB) on Thursday approved a policy regarding the sale of vaccines to help ensure the provision of safe medicines to patients.
According to the policy, only those chemists who have alternative power arrangements such as generators and UPS would be permitted to store or sell the vaccines.
The decision was taken at the 36th meeting of the QCB that was chaired by its chief commissioner in Islamabad and attended by the deputy commissioner, district health officer and a representative of the Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA), among others.
During the occasion, the QCB announced the cancellation of the drug licenses of five chemists after investigations revealed they were selling vaccines while having no makeshift power arrangements.
Al-Mustafa Medical Store, Life Care Pharmacy, Shabbir Chemist, Rawal Pharmacy and Raheem Medical Store were the chemists found guilty.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Drug Inspector Sardar Shabbir Ahmed confirmed directives had been issued to over 600 registered chemists in the ICT to make special arrangements for vaccine storage during power outages.
The chemists have been given one week to adhere to the instructions, failure of which will result in an order to stop selling the vaccines, said another official.
Ahmed added that vaccines for rabies, tetanus and insulin among others must be kept at temperatures between
two and eight degrees centigrade for 24 hours a day, seven days a week in order to maintain effectiveness of the medication.
He said chemists would be under strict surveillance, while those who did not comply would be raided and their drug licenses subsequently revoked.
The QCB has taken notice of the non availability of registered life-saving drugs and has recommended the DRA address this issue urgently in the interests of the public.
Ahmed stated that because certain life-saving drugs not manufactured in Pakistan were smuggled into the country illegally, the government was unable to keep a tab on the quality of these drugs.
As a result, during QCB’s meeting, the DRA had been asked to take steps to discourage the sale and purchase of these drugs while also demanding issuance of licenses for their manufacturing.
Ahmed, who is also QCB secretary, later presented various cases of contravention of the Drug Act, 1976. After a thorough evaluation, QCB approved prosecution in five cases, the culprits being Dawn Chemist, Life Care Pharmacy, Al-Mustafa Medical Store, Shabbir Chemist and Raheem Medical Store.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2013.