LAHORE, Dec 12: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered that Punjab should be purged of spurious medicines by Jan 15, and the campaign against the elements involved in this heinous trade be accelerated further.

He also ordered removal of corrupt and inefficient drug inspectors besides filling vacancies of drug inspectors immediately.

The chief minister, according to a handout, gave these directions while presiding over a meeting of chairmen of task forces set up to eradicate spurious drugs. Dr Saeed Elahi, Tanvir Aslam Malik, Dr Farrukh Javed and the health secretary were also present.

The chief minister said that the elements engaged in spurious drugs trade were not only enemies of humanity but also a stain on society.

He said that those playing with the lives of innocent people deserved no leniency and, therefore, he had established three special task forces to check the menace.

Shahbaz further directed that assistance of secret agencies should also be acquired for tracing people engaged in this business.

He said that necessary facilities should be provided to the six drug courts set up in the province whereas the federal government should be contacted for the establishment of three more drug courts.

More laboratories, he said, should be set up in the province and they should be fully empowered so that they could prepare their reports without any fear or favour.

The chief minister directed the health secretary and the provincial quality board chairman to hold meetings twice a month instead of every three months.

He also gave instructions for immediate action against the persons who had subjected a drug inspector to torture in Sargodha during the performance of his duties.

Lauding the efficiency of task forces, he said that he would personally preside over their meetings. He convened its next meeting on Dec 26.

Earlier, Taskforce chairman of Central Punjab Dr Saeed Elahi, Task Force chairman of South Punjab Dr Farrukh Javed and Task Force chairman of North Punjab Tanvir Aslam Malik informed the meeting about the measures taken for the eradication of spurious drugs.