Spurious and counterfeit medicines in Pakistan are a big problem and many deaths occur due to use of spurious drugs. Civil society, media, consumers and medicine manufacturers should join hands to stop the unchecked use of fake medicines in Pakistan.
This was stated by caretaker Sindh Health Minister Dr. Junaid Ali Shah at a seminar on World Health Day with a theme how to promote use of genuine medicines organized by Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA).
PPMA Chairman Jawed Akhai, former Chairman Dr. Kaiser Waheed and Zahid Saeed, Chairman of South Zone Nadeem Chandna, Prof. Tipu Sultan, Pro. Vice Chancellor of Dow Medical University Prof. Omer Farooque, Controller Drug Regulatory Authority Dr Obaid Ali, President of National Forum for Environment and Health Naeem Qureshi, Hira Baloch and Dr. Qaiser Sajjad also spoke on the occasion.
Dr. Junaid Shah said there should be strict punishment on the selling of fake drugs. He underlined the need for strict implementation of the drug laws. He expressed his regrets that the previous Sindh Assembly did not pass important legislations like Health Policy Bill, Thalassemia Bill. He asked for strict action against bureaucracy for bad performance and irregularities in health sector. He said the health sector has not been given importance in the country. The government is taking measures for creating awareness against spurious drugs.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion, PPMA Chairman Jawed Akhai said a permanent Chief Executive should be appointed at Drugs Regulatory Authority and we would not accept the temporary system in the authority at any cost. He stressed the need for running the authority according to DRA laws.
He deplored that many influential people are involved in fake medicines business, who have backing from political parties and government department people. He said the association has launched a campaign to create awareness among masses against the use of fake medicines.
Former PPMA Chairman Zahid Saeed said all chemists and druggists should be registered with the drug distributors. All chemists should be made bound to follow the terms and conditions for maintenance of quality of the drugs in their premises. A pharmacist should be available at every chemist’s shop. Drug inspectors should be provide better job opportunities, he added.
Dr. Tipu Sultan said about 40 percent medicines, being sold in the country are counterfeit and Pakistan is among 13 countries of the world, where fake medicines are being manufactured in larger quantities. There is a severe punishment for keeping 100 grams of heroin, but no punishment is given on confiscation of entire truck loaded with spurious drugs, he added.
He deplored that media is mainly focusing on political issues, but it is not paying special attention on serious issues like use of fake medicines in Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, the Controller of the Drug Control Authority Dr. Obaid said the annual budget of DRA is Rs. 500 million and about 50 employees are working. He said it is difficult to work with such a little number of staff and insufficient budget. He said quality medicines are being produced in Pakistan and their quality can be judged from the fact that about 80 percent of the diabetes patients use locally manufactured medicines.
Dr. Kaiser Waheed underlined the need to launch a big crackdown against counterfeit drugs.
Chief Drug Inspector Saleem Isharat said our pharmaceutical industry is competing with the world’s pharma industry. Many companies are following European standards.
Prof. Omer Farooque said many pharmaceutical companies in Pakistan are engaged in unethical practices and it is duty of the doctors to prescribe the genuine medicines in a clear writings.
Naeem Qureshi said that the government and political parties have never given priority to the public health issues and no action has been taken against ministers or bureaucrats due to their bad performance. He demanded a ban on the publication or airing of advertisements in the media about fake or low quality medicines or quake doctors and Hakims.