DRAP gets new chief

Islamabad: Dr Ubaidullah Malik has been officially appointed the new chief executive officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), following approval from the prime minister.

Dr Malik, a professional pharmacist with a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Peshawar, has been with DRAP since 2001. Over the years, he has held several prominent roles, including Director of Administration, Director of Registration, and Director of Imports and Exports.

DRAP had been without a CEO for over a month after Asim Rauf's tenure ended on February 5 this year.

Rauf, who served two consecutive three-year terms, was credited with speeding up the drug registration and inspection processes, introducing online systems for inspections, registrations, and facilitating medicine imports and exports. Under his leadership, Pakistan also aligned its drug registration system with international standards, such as those of the US FDA and European regulations, a significant milestone for international recognition.

While Dr Malik's appointment has been largely welcomed, with Noor Mahar, President of the Pakistan Drug Lawyers Forum, describing it as a positive move, he now faces a series of significant challenges.

These include addressing uncontrolled drug prices, completing the online registration system, and improving transparency in the registration of herbal and nutraceutical products.

The lack of drug inspectors in provinces like Punjab and Sindh, coupled with the inadequate regulation of medical devices and medicated cosmetics, also poses a problem. Furthermore, the increasing use of steroids and mercury-based substances in medicines and cosmetics calls for immediate regulatory attention.