NA panel raises its concern over 30pc discount on medicines for lawmakers

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has expressed serious concerns over 30 percent discount on medicines for parliamentarians, questioning the quality of such medicines.

The Standing Committee meeting held here on Thursday under the Chairmanship of Dr Mahesh Kumar to deliberate upon key issues concerning medicine availability and quality, nursing sector reforms and public health education and research.

The participants of the meeting while reviewing the implementation status of previous recommendations, expressed serious concerns regarding shortages of diabetes medicines and insulin, as well as inconsistencies in the availability of specific brands. The committee emphasised that complete information on medicine shortages and discounted medicines provided to parliamentarians should be shared with the committee.

The officials of the health ministry informed the panel that sampling had been conducted by deputed field officers, with 16 samples collected from the Parliamentarians’ dispensary and 6 samples from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and that the testing reports would be shared with the committee. Mustafa Kamal, federal Minister for national health services assured the committee that the concerned entities would be called in the next meeting for a detailed discussion.The committee further inquired whether, under the pharmacy tender awarded to the Federal Government Hospital (FGH) based on a 69 percent discount, the benefit of this discount was also being extended to the public. DRAP clarified that inspections were being carried out under its mandate in coordination with ICT inspectors, while the procurement process was conducted in accordance with PPRA rules.

Responding to the quires raised by the parliamentarians on the subject of lifestyle medicine and preventive healthcare Federal Minister for National Health Mustafa Kamal informed the committee that a shift from sickness to wellness was being pursued and members proposed inclusion of lifestyle education in medical curricula through the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and other educational provincial syllabi at all levels.

The committee received a detailed briefing from the Health Services Academy (HSA). The Vice Chancellor highlighted HSA’s role as Pakistan’s first public health university, its faculty strength, training of in-service doctors, collaboration with United Nations (UN) agencies and progress on One Health initiatives. The Minister drew the committee’s attention to the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance, particularly arising from the excessive use of antibiotics in livestock and informed the committee that HSA was actively addressing this previously neglected area.

Members raised questions regarding admissions, faculty recruitment, budgetary constraints, use of artificial intelligence, plagiarism control mechanisms in thesis, student representation from Balochistan and governance matters, including approvals by the Senate of HSA and the Syndicate in relation to recent promotions. The HSA administration assured the committee that admissions were conducted strictly on merit and quota basis, due process was followed in recruitments, and that relevant documents, advertisements and approvals would be shared with the committee in subsequent meetings.

The committee also discussed matters relating to HIV testing surveys, the availability of testing kits, inter-ministerial coordination and the need for transparency in survey findings. The Health Ministry assured the committee that the concerns raised earlier were being addressed and that detailed information would be shared in the upcoming meetings. The Health Services Academy (HSA) requested the committee’s support in countering false information and misinformation, noting that despite its strong performance, several private entities were attempting to discredit the institution. The Vice Chancellor of HSA stated that defamation attempts had misled stakeholders and that he intended to challenge such claims through all available channels. HSA emphasised that the committee could serve as a platform to clarify facts.

Members emphasised the need for improved coordination between the ministry and its attached departments. The committee appreciated the comprehensive briefing by HSA and underscored the importance of transparency, accountability, and timely sharing of information.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026