LAHORE: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Punjab Government and international pharmaceutical organization Novartis Pharma Pakistan according to which Novartis Pharma will provide free medicines to patients suffering from four particular diseases.
The MOU signing ceremony was held at Model Town and Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif was the guest of honor at the ceremony. Punjab government Medical Education & Special Healthcare Secretary Najam Shah and Novartis Pharma Pakistan’s Country President Shahab Rizvi signed the MoU.
The MoU states that Novartis Pharma will provide free medicines to the patients of diabetes, heart diseases, breast cancer and respiratory disorder. Free medicines will be provided at the cost of $1 to Punjab Government which will then provide the medicines, free of cost to the patients.
Shehbaz Sharif speaking at the occasion stated that the agreement between the international will initially assist 0.35 million with plans to increase the scope of the program to 0.12 million in the near future.
He said that Punjab government has purchased medicines worth Rs6 billion in the current financial year and samples of some of these medicines were being examined by world-renowned laboratories to ascertain their high quality.
CM said that those involved in supplying forged drugs are the greatest enemies of humanity and Punjab Government will nip their evil in the bud by barring business of counterfeit drugs. He further stated that the elements involved in the illegal transplanting of kidneys and other organs will be dealt with strict disciplinary actions.
Provincial ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Khawaja Imran Nazir, Member National Assembly Dr Ramesh Kumar, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning and Development and high officials of Novartis Pharma were also present at the ceremony.
