The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has appreciated the government's decision to form much-needed Drug Regulatory Authority saying that the early establishment of the authority would help ensure availability of quality medicines to the people at cheaper rates.
While talking to a delegation of pharmaceutical industry on Saturday, LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh said that the pharmaceutical sector was facing deep troubles due to non-functioning of the Drug Regulatory Authority. He said that the government's decision would not only save the businessmen from huge loss due to imported raw materials and finished medicines but would also help check the shortage of life saving drugs.
LCCI President hoped that the pharmaceutical industry would extend every possible help and co-operation to the government for early establishment of Drug Regulatory Authority as it was need of the hour. It merits a mention here that President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday promulgated an ordinance to form the 'Drug Regulatory Authority' after all the provinces gave it the mandatory green light.
As stated in the ordinance, the drug watchdog will consist of 14 members, including all provincial health secretaries, and is tasked with regulating countrywide manufacturing, licensing, registration and sale of drugs in line with Drugs Act, 1976. Headed by the chief executive officer, DRA will have one technical representative each of the federal government, doctors, pharmacists and pharmaceutical industry. With headquarters in Islamabad, it will work under the administrative control of the secretary of the cabinet division. Under Article 147 of the Constitution, the central drug watchdog can be established only after the provinces' 'concurrence and approval'.
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