The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSRC) has removed controversial senior joint secretary Arshad Farooq Fahim in the wake of drugs pricing scam.
Fahim, who was serving as the chief executive officer, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), was allegedly behind raising the prices of drugs to benefit some of the big drugs manufacturers during the tenure of Pakistan People’s Party-led government. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was investigating the case and had found some concrete evidences against Fahim, following which the current decision has been introduced. The ministry in this relation has already issued a notification for the cancellation/withdrawal of the previous notification under which Fahim was appointed as a CEO DRAP. The notification (F NO 16 (56)2012-SO (DRAP-III), issued by the ministry said that with approval of the Secretary, DR. Qazi Abdus Saboor, DG (Health) has been given additional charge of the position of the Chief Executive Officer, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) with immediate effect. Source also confirmed that Ministry concerned has directed the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to take charge of his new responsibility on immediate.