Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over a three-hour long meeting here today which reviewed in detail steps for public health reforms, and especially the elimination of spurious and substandard medicines.
The meeting decided to amend Drug Act 1976, to add punishments against those involved in the manufacturing and sale of fake medicines and fines will be increased for curbing such elements. The meeting gave their approval for setting up of the Drug Regulatory Authority. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that spurious and substandard drugs will be eradicated at all costs from the province. He said that a zero tolerance policy will be adopted against the persons involved in manufacturing and sale of spurious medicines and that this heinous trade will be completely eradicated from the province at any cost.
He directed the completion of modern drug testing labs in four cities of the province by June next year and said that the setting up of modern drug testing labs is an important step towards the provision of quality medicines.
The chief minister approved the establishment of the Drug Regularity Authority and said that it will be completely autonomous.
Provincial Ministers Kh Salman Rafiq, Kh Imran Nazir, Advisor Dr Umer Saif, Additional Chief Secretary, Secretary Law, Secretary Prosecution, medical experts and concerned officials were present on the occasion.
