ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to strip Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) of authority over regulation of baby milk and general infant food, transferring the responsibility to provincial food departments.
This was informed by the DRAP officials to a senate committee on Tuesday. The decision was finalised after months of deliberations at the forums of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and Board of Investment (BOI).
DRAP officials said they were set to implement the decision through amendments in the relevant laws, which have already been vetted by Law and Justice Division. The amendments were being submitted to Cabinet Committee for Legislative Cases (CCLC) for final approval, they said.
During a meeting of Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, DRAP officials briefed the members. They said under the DRAP Act, 2012 and Alternative Medicines and Health Products (Enlistment) Rules, 2014, baby milk and food were previously categorised as Health and OTC Products (non-drugs).
However, due to a dual regulatory frame work — where both DRAP and provincial food departments had overlapping jurisdiction — confusion and inefficiencies emerged in enforcement and oversight.
To resolve the matter, stakeholders concluded all baby milk and infant food products meant for general consumption would now be regulated by provincial food authorities. The DRAP would retain jurisdiction over baby milk and food products specifically formulated for medical needs.
The Senate Committee, following a detailed briefing, agreed to revisit the issue in a forthcoming in-camera session to discuss its broader implications on public health and consumer protection.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, also addressed multiple critical issues plaguing Islamabad’s healthcare infrastructure. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal revealed plans for an imminent public-private partnership model to reduce pressure on public hospitals, which are reportedly serving up to ten times their intended capacity.
He maintained work on this model would begin within next 15 to 20 days, with involvement from nonprofit private healthcare institutions.
Mustafa Kamal confirmed preparations for laying the foundation of Jinnah Medical Complex in Islamabad — envisioned as one of largest research and teaching hospitals in the region.
Lawmakers raised serious concerns about condition of Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital, with Senators Masroor Ahmed and Hidayatullah describing it as “broken” and unfit to serve patients. Hidayatullah recounted how, despite being a senator, he had to queue up with patients and personally witnessed a lack of medicines and doctor availability.
Minister Kamal acknowledged immense burden faced by Islamabad’s two main hospitals and 30 Basic Health Units (BHUs), which serve not only city’s nearly 2.7 million residents, but also patients from Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Originally designed for 3,000 patients, these facilities are now seeing up to 30,000 visits daily. The minister said in addition to public-private partnership, new branches of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) were being constructed across Islamabad. He said previously underutilised Covid-era hospital buildings — such as a 266-bed facility — will be activated soon.
Chairman Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, expressed concern over lack of planning and vision in Islamabad’s health infrastructure. He questioned why, despite the capital’s growing population — exceeding 3 million — only two major public hospitals continue to serve the entire city.
He stressed the need for long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes. He emphasised available infrastructure, including 266-bed hospital built during Covid-19, must be fully utilised to ease the burden.
Senator Chishti recommended establishment of an additional large public hospital in Islamabad. “This city cannot be run on outdated models; we need expansion and reform”, he remarked.
The meeting also delved into deep-rooted issues with Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), with Minister Kamal branding it a “mafia-like” institution, alleging it was mired in corruption, internal mismanagement and overreach.
He said he lacked legal authority to overhaul the institution, although he holds informal influence.
Members of the committee assured full support for legislative amendments to bring the Council under proper regulatory control. An in-camera briefing on this matter was also proposed.
The committee expressed displeasure over absence of Vice Chancellor of Health Services Academy, who had been formally summoned but failed to attend without providing an explanation and recommended referring the matter to the Privilege Committee.