ISLAMABAD, Feb 4: As Minister for Health Makhdoom Shahabuddin on Friday assured the National Assembly that he would cancel registration of controlled drugs with a potential for abuse or addiction, legislators feared their misuse, especially by the young people.

The minister said the government was taking measures to confiscate the excess quantities of controlled drugs already being sold in markets. “I will strictly deal with those who have allowed and imported controlled drugs. I issued instructions to cancel licences before coming to the parliament,” said the minister.

He was responding to a calling attention notice in which MNAs Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Dr Donya Aziz and Yasmeen Rehman and others raised concerns about increase in import of Ephedrine and Amphetamine – that increased wakefulness and lessened fatigue and appetite - over and above the sanctioned quota into Pakistan.

Import of Amphetamine, the minister said, had been banned in Pakistan since 1976 in all forms. “We are not using it,” he told the lower house.

However, the minister said Ephedrine, used in syrups and other medicines, was allowed in excess amounts at the request of some pharmaceutical companies. “Their export licences were recently cancelled but the drug is still in the country,” he said. Dr Pechuho took a strong stance over the import of Ephedrine – an active ingredient in Ecstasy – fearing that it could find way to the young people.

She said Ephedrine was being used to reduce weight, but added it caused anxiety and other harmful symptoms, and in extreme cases death. “Soon these dangerous drugs will reach shops and create havoc,” she said.

Legislators also brought to the minister’s notice that import of Ephedrine had been increased from two million to 200 million tablets.

“What has happened to the 200 million Ephedrine tablets? In other countries medical stores take down complete information of the purchaser of medicines with Ephedrine content. How will the minister track down and withdraw them, especially when laws are not stringent,” asked a member.

MNA Rehman asked why some pharmaceutical companies were given exemptions to import the excess amount. “Our concern is that these controlled drugs can fall into wrong hands and could find market with the vulnerable and young generation.”

The minister reiterated, “I have assured the house that these drugs will be confiscated. There will be strict actions against the two pharmaceutical companies involved in import of controlled drugs. Show cause notices will be issued against those who allowed import over and above sanctioned quota.”

Meanwhile, in a surprise move, the Ministry of Health has ‘temporarily suspended’ the registration of new drugs in the country.

According to a press release by the ministry on Friday, the directive was issued by Nargis Sethi, federal secretary health.

The ministry has registered almost 40,000 drugs since 2008.

The statement added that the officials of the Drugs Registration department have been asked to computerise the registration process through e-filing of applications to make the procedure more transparent.

The secretary also directed the ministry’s officials to ensure that there was no shortage of essential drugs in the country.