Public health: Crackdown ordered on manufacturers of spurious drugs

Action to be taken against drug <br /> inspectors if desired results not achieved.

LAHORE: Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique on Monday directed the Health Department to launch a crackdown on manufacturers and sellers of spurious and substandard drugs.

He was presiding over a meeting at Civil Secretariat. Health Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik, Health Services Director General Zahid Pervaiz, Additional Health Secretary (Technical) Salman Shahid, Chief Drug Controller Iyaz Ali Khan and the health executive district officer attended the meeting.



The adviser stressed the need for mobilising drug inspectors to collect information about those dealing in spurious drugs.

The health secretary said a toll-free number would be provided for the registration of complaints. He said the names of those providing information about the manufacturers of counterfeit drugs would not be revealed.

He asked authorities to publish ads in newspapers announcing action against such manufacturers. He directed the EDO to launch the crackdown and submit a report.

The secretary said action would be taken against drug inspectors if desired results were not achieved.

Rafique said the government had already been active against those producing spurious drugs and that the Health Department had achieved substantial success in this regard.

He said police would be requested to provide protection to the raiding teams of the Health Department.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd, 2014.