Complain of regulatory authority’s corruption. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has demanded the government to immediately make the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) a functional body and to appoint its chief on a permanent basis.
The demand was made by PPMA members during a meeting with State Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar on Thursday.
“The pharmaceutical industry is facing hardships in delivering affordable and life saving drugs to patients which has resulted in a shortage, mainly because of rampant corruption at Drap and its toothless decisions,” claimed PPMA members.
The regulatory authority has recently imposed extra charges on drug exporters whereas it hiked various fees, 20 to 50 times in some cases, which discouraged exporters to continue their ventures to different countries due to the sudden surge of business cost, they informed the minister.
The minister assured PPMA of immediate resolution of their issues.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2013.
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