The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has decided to introduce ‘bar coding system’ for the first time in the country to curb the menace of spurious drugs.
This was told to a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination chaired by Khalid Hussain Magsi on Wednesday.
The body was informed that the bar coding system was being used in the developed world and legislation for this purpose will be finalised soon.
DRAP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Muhammad Aslam informed the body that the government has drafted legislation for imposing punishment and fine for unauthorised increase in prices of drugs by pharmaceutical companies.
He said that in order to further strengthen the inspection system of the pharmaceutical manufacturing units, DRAP has started working with Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-Operation Scheme (PIC/S), Australia, and is planning further training of DRAP’s officials for effective implementation of good manufacturing practices in the pharmaceutical manufacturing units.