Staff Reporter (Pharmaceutical Review). Grand Pharmacist Alliance (GPA) Group of Pakistan Pharmacist Association (PPA) supports the Punjab Drug Amendments Bill 2017. This Bill No. PAP/Legs-2(153)/2017/1535 was introduced in Punjab Assembly on January 23, 2017. Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan has moved Bill No. 2 of 2017 by in Punjab Assembly and approved in proceeding dated February 8, 2017. The session was chaired by Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal. It was eventually signed and approve by the Governor Punjab Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana on February 15, 2017 (Wednesday).
But, unluckily, the drug mafia is now actively working to suspend Schedule-G for more decades in Punjab Province of Pakistan. They have successfully delayed the enforcement of Drug Rule 2007 for ten years. Because, the Punjab government has already granted the relief of 10 years to these nonqualified, nontechnical and nonprofessional druggist to make necessary arrangement. This gang promised to then government for offering the pharmaceutical care in community and clinical pharmacies. Then secretary to the Governor of the Punjab has issued notification by the order of then governor of the Punjab Mr. Salman Taseer, printed in the Punjab weekly gazette dated February 10, 2010, page No. 951 (copy attached). In exercise of power conferred upon him under Section 44 of the Drug Act. 1976 (XXXI of 1976) which empower government to make rules under Act subjected to previous publication. The governor of the Punjab has made amendments in the Punjab Drug Rules, 2007 after previous publication of these amendments. In rule 1, sub rule (3) for the word “three” is substituted by the word “ten”. Thus the drug rule enforced in 2007 and supposed to be fully implemented in 2017.
But, unluckily, the same history is going to repeat one more time. The non-qualified, nontechnical and nonprofessional chemists and druggist are now working hard to delay the enforcement of drug rule 2007 for one more decade. This gang is actively working again to delay the Schedule-G. That is official signed and accepted by government authority. That is most sad part of this treaty.
Grand Pharmacist Alliance of PPA rejects this part of the agreement. Prof. Dr. Taha Nazir president of GAP Group of PPA has demanded in his press release to enforcement of “Schedule-G” in already promised time frame. That will assure the delivery of standard pharmaceutical care in community and retail pharmacies in Punjab province of Pakistan.