ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Friday raised concerns about the quality of drugs produced in Pakistan, noting that they often did not meet international standards.

The concern was raised during the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination meeting, presided over by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti at the Parliament House.

The meeting reviewed the performance of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) over the past five years.

During the session, Drap Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Asim Rauf provided an overview of the authority’s responsibilities, emphasising its role in the licensing and manufacturing of drugs for import and export, as well as the regulation of quality assurance and control across the country.

While Drap oversaw these aspects, the sales, storage and distribution of drugs fell under provincial jurisdiction.

Asim Rauf highlighted Drap’s recent integration with Pakistan Single Window for import and export licences, along with the implementation of an e-Office system.

He noted that Drap operated as a self-sufficient organisation, with a budget of Rs2.33 billion for the financial year 2024-25. Additionally, Drap was working on establishing an export directorate to facilitate the export of therapeutic goods.

The committee raised concerns about the quality of drugs produced in Pakistan, noting that they often did not meet international standards. In response, Drap officials mentioned a recent lawsuit filed against GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for producing substandard drugs.

The committee also inquired about the presence of multinational pharmaceutical companies in Pakistan and rumours of their departure.

Drap officials clarified that 30 multinational companies were currently operating in the country and no company had exited, though several mergers had occurred.

The committee chairman, Amir Waliuddin Chishti, also brought up the issue of formula milk regulation. According to CEO Rauf, formula milk companies had previously filed a lawsuit in the high court against Drap’s inclusion of formula milk in its regulatory scope. However, the court ruled in favour of Drap.

The chairman recommended that Drap proceed with regulating formula milk unless the companies appealed to the Supreme Court. He also suggested launching an awareness campaign to educate mothers on the potential risks of formula milk.

The Senate body further discussed the new policy for the National Registration Examination (NRE).

Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) President Dr Rizwan Taj informed the committee that the passing criteria for foreign medical students had been lowered from 70pc to 60pc, resulting in an increase in the NRE exam passing rate from 4pc to 40pc.

Additionally, the committee was briefed about the staffing situation in federal government hospitals.

National Health Services Secretary Nadeem Mahbub reported that 500 doctors were appointed to federal hospitals between 2018 and 2023. These included eight doctors at federal government hospitals, three at the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM), 143 at the Government Polyclinic Hospital and 346 at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).

Provincial quotas were followed in these appointments. Of the newly appointed doctors, only six were provided with official residences, while the rest received hiring and allowance benefits.

The meeting was attended by senators Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, Syed Masroor Ahsan, Irfanul Haq Siddiqui, Mohammad Humayun Mohmand and Fawzia Arshad, along with Secretary Nadeem Mahbub, Special Secretary Nasiruddin Mashood Ahmed, Drap CEO Asim Rauf, PMDC President Dr Rizwan Taj and other senior officials from relevant departments.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2024