PAAM rejects DRAP Rules 2026, warns alternative medicine sector

​LAHORE: Kashif Aslam Malik, Chairman of the Pakistan Association of Alternative Medicine (PAAM), has completely rejected the proposed DRAP Rules 2026, labeling them an unscientific plot against the local alternative pharmaceutical industry, Homeopathy, and Unani medicine.

He stated that the allopathic pharmaceutical bureaucracy within the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) is attempting to forcefully impose itself on the alternative medicine sector. In reality, the 5-year Pharm.D curriculum completely lacks education and technical training on homeopathic potentization, Unani herbal formulation, or nutraceutical manufacturing.

He questioned the legal and scientific authority of allopathic pharmacists who have never studied these disciplines to act as self proclaimed experts and draft policies for this sector.

​Kashif Aslam Malik emphasized that under the universal principle of “right expertise for the right job,” the regulatory framework, registration, and licensing for alternative medicines must strictly be developed under the direct supervision of qualified specialists in Homeopathy, Unani, and Nutraceutical sciences. Imposing these unilateral rules and rigid allopathic SOPs will bankrupt over 80% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), resulting in widespread unemployment for thousands of homeopathic doctors, Unani practitioners, and industrial workers, while depriving the public of affordable, natural healthcare options. PAAM demands an immediate halt to these rules, the formation of a committee comprising specialized alternative medicine experts, and the establishment of an independent authority modeled after India’s Ministry of AYUSH. He warned that if DRAP attempts to force these rules through, PAAM will unite all industry stakeholders to fight a nationwide battle across the media, judiciary, and public spheres.