Islamabad (Pharmaceutical Review) Ministry of Health, Government of the Punjab has issued a notification, printed in the Punjab weekly gazette dated February 10, 2010, page No. 951, 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 word “three” the word “ten” is substituted. In Schedule A- From 9 at Serial No. 1, after the word “and sell” the word “or distribute” is inserted. In Form 10 at serial No. 1, after the word “or sale by way of wholesale” is inserted.
In response the this notification the executives of the Pharmacist Federation of Pakistan; Asad Imran – President Lahore, Syed Muzzamal Masood Zaidi – President Islamabad, Dr. Fawad Ali General Secretary Islamabad, Irshad Hussain Malilk President Punjab, Fiaz Ahmad Faizi General Secretary Punjab (and Vice President PPA Punjab), Muhammad Bin Ibrahim President Multan, Dr. Shoaib Zafar President Faisalabad, Aziz ul Rehman Farooqi President Sargodha, Dr. Tahir Farooq – Press Secretary, Malik Muahmmad Sharif – President Gujranwala, Abdul Rub Mujahid – President Bahawalpure, Dr. Taha Nazir – Secretary General (Pakistan) said that it is unfair to regularize the unlawful wholesale business of life saving drugs. These amendments are biased. Which are based on unrealistic approach of Government of the Punjab. They have secured the non-professional people to sell the life saving drugs. The way of distribution of drugs is totally different than grocery, vegetable, grains and garments. Thus; this amendments should be withdrawn instantly. The non-skilled people not allowed involve in health care profession in an improper way. They have protested against the suspension of Punjab Drug Rule 2007 and strongly emphasized the government to withdraw this notification soon as possible.