DRAP panel to ensure availability of lifesaving drugs

Islamabad: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has set up a committee to ensure the availability of the lifesaving drugs on the market to the relief of the people.

The committee will develop an appropriate mechanism to identify and address the shortage of lifesaving drugs. It has also been tasked with maintaining a liaison with provincial governments, drug manufacturers, DRAP’s field offices and patients.

Meanwhile, the DRAP has extended SRO 28(I)/2013 allowing hospitals and institutions the conditional import of certain anti-cancer, cardiac and lifesaving medicines direly needed for patients but not registered in the country. The extension is for a period of two years. The SRO issued for five years in Jan 2013 had expired last month.

Under the order, the imports of such drugs will be made with the prior approval of the licensing authority; the drugs will not be sold or distributed on the market, and the drugs will be sold on free sale in the country of origin except for lifesaving vaccines and anti-sera for human use only, where pre-qualification by the World Health Organisation or approval of any regulatory authorities as defined by the Registration Board is provided.

These drugs will be used for therapeutic purpose in the hospital or institutions only and not for the purpose of clinical trial, examination, test or analysis, while the clearance certificate must be obtained from the assistant director concerned at the time of arrival of shipment before customs clearance. The consumption or utilisation records will be maintained by the importer under the supervision of qualified person.