The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has decided to investigate the shortage of life-saving drugs in the country.
According to sources, DRAP has directed provincial offices to conduct market surveillance and undertake surveys on an urgent basis across medical markets nationwide.
Provincial offices have been instructed to provide a detailed report on unavailable medicines within three days with DRAP surveillance teams reporting online individually on unregistered medicines.
The directive also includes reporting on alternative brands of unregistered medicines from various brands.
Complaints have been received regarding the unavailability of inhalers and anti-allergy medicines from various brands prompting DRAP to engage with pharmaceutical companies and importers to address the shortage of medicines.
DRAP has established a special committee to ensure the availability of life-saving drugs as complaints regarding the shortage of such medicines have been received.
Dr. Asim Rauf, CEO of DRAP emphasizes the importance of ensuring the availability of standard medicines at regulated prices in the country. He believes that market surveys will reveal the true extent of the drug shortage.
He assures that efforts will be made to ensure the availability of essential medicines with increased market monitoring for their availability. Field teams will take measures to ensure the availability of essential medicines.
