Shortage of critical drugs: Appointment of federal analyst at NLC hangs in balance

LAHORE: The health ministry has failed to find a permanent solution regarding the appointment of the Federal Analyst at National Control Laboratory (NCL) for the last six months. According to details, after the retirement of Dr Samad Khan the NHSR&C notified Zafar Mahmood Minhas on April 27th after almost 45 days. But, he was appointed just for three months effective from March 19th to June 19th. And now the appointment of the new analyst is being delayed once again by the ministry.

This delay has been resulting in the shortage of critical products, such as vaccines (Rabies, Tetanus, Typhoid, etc.), Oncology products, Heterologus serum products for solid organ transplants and aplastic anemia, Plasma derived products, Insulin, and products for Burns wards and dialysis centre, recombinant biological, Streptokinase, etc, pharmaceutical industry sources claimed.

Senator Dilawar had raised the issue in the national assembly stating that the position of federal analyst at NCL is a very sensitive post as no vaccine can be delivered to government and private hospitals and pharmacies without the permission of the federal analyst.

"The cases of snake biting have increased these days but its vaccine is not available in the country due to this issue, the vaccines for Rabies and Tetanus are also not available. So this position should be filled immediately because it is very critical for the national health sector," said Dilawar.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020