Saeed Allawala, Managing Director, ATCO Laboratories, organized a meeting for a policy dialogue on “Pakistan Health Sector and the 18th Amendment – What future holds” recently at a local hotel in Karachi. Dr. Sania Nishter President Heartfile was the guest speaker. Chairmen and representatives from national and multinational pharmaceuticals companies attended the meeting.
Speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion, Dr. Sania Nishter in her talk said that health does not figure a fundamental right in Pakistani constitution. She talked about the socio – economic implications which will have a deep universal impact. The Council of Common Interests, which has representatives from all the provinces and Central Government will become more important in playing a role in Health Sector after the passage of the 18th Amendment in Constitution.
The 18th Amendment in Constitution states that some of the major changes like population planning, mental illnesses, drug and medicine etc will be handled by the provinces along with programs like Malaria, TB etc which are funded by donors.
According to a stipulation, if a province passes a resolution to the Federal Govt. for it to take over some of its responsibilities in a particular area, the Govt. is entitled to pass a suitable legislation after proper consideration. Research and Health Care facilities will remain with the Centre.
She further said that the provinces would lack financial resources to set up parallel institutions being already run by the Federal Health Ministry. We must not hesitate in retaining the things of National Importance with the Centre like price issues, trade among the provinces etc to avoid unnecessary duplication and generation of new problems. She suggested the proper implementation of Drug Laws and the eradication of weaknesses in executing it.
Some of the provinces have already started working in the above mentioned areas with a keen interest of exercising their powers, said one of the participants but the Pharmaceuticals sector wanted it to be regulated at the Federal Level. The CCI, most of the time remains quiescent. She said that the Industry and the concerned people should communicate with each other and together voice for common solutions.
Haroon Qasim, Managing Director PharmaEvo in his welcome address gave the details of previous meetings held with legislators in Karachi and Islamabad. He stressed on the need to establish Drug Regulatory Authority at the Federal Level.
Tariq Wajid, Managing Director, Sanofi-Aventis Pakistan on the occasion said that after the 18th amendment, the problems of Pharma industry will really be the matter of concern. It is hope that Pharma industry will run smoothly in providing relief to the patients.
The meeting was followed by deliberations and in this end, Haseeb Khan, Managing Director, Brookes Pharmaceticals offered vote of thanks.