Press Release No. 31, Islamabad: July 4, 2011 (www.pharmareview.wordpress.com). The Federal Government has decided to establish Drug Regulatory Agency (DRA) with the concurrence and approval of the provinces as per Article 147 of the Constitution, Cabinet Secretary said in a press statement issued here today.
For the compliance of the directives of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Cabinet Secretary contacted the Provincial Governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan to entrust the powers of their respective Governments to the Federation. The provinces have agreed to the same for a transitional period till the establishment of a functional DRA.
The devolution of health as per the 18th Amendment was to be followed by the creation of a Drug Regulatory Agency, in agreement with the provinces, to promote uniformity and standardization of drugs and therapeutic goods across the country.
The Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has directed the Cabinet Secretary to ensure uninterrupted provision of drugs and medicines to the patients all over the country and resolution of all the outstanding issues of the Pharma Industry. The Cabinet Secretary has taken immediate action in line with the directions of the Prime Minister and has asked the personnel dealing with these matters in Cabinet Division to ensure resolution of all essential issues of the Pharmaceutical Industry which could hinder the availability of essential drugs and medicines to the public, including clearance of imported consignments of raw material, production, packaging and other related matter.
As per the instructions of the Prime Minister these measures will not only provide immediate relief to the Pharmaceutical Industry but would also ensure continuous availability of life saving and essential medicines to the general public.