Important files, containing the record of billions of rupee, are found missing during the devolution process and no government department is ready to take responsibility, it was observed by the sub-committee of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Thursday. The meeting of the committee held here under its convenor Shahida Akhtar Ali to examine the audit report 1998-99 of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Co-ordination.
The committee was informed that after devolution of health ministry to provinces some record of health projects is unavailable. Member Committee Mian Manan said the country has to face billion of rupee loss as a result of devolution as record of development projects is not available for audit and government departments are blaming one another for not maintaining the record.
The committee questioned about the performance of Pakistan Medical Research Council in introducing new medicines. Mian Manan said the poor are suffering from hepatitis-C and research council is not doing enough to provide hepatitis drugs on economical rates. Muhammad Ayub Sheikh, Secretary Ministry of National Health Services, said that blockbuster oral drug 'Sovaldi' has been imported from a US company under its patient access programme. The real price of this drug in the USA is $28000 but it is available in Pakistan against $323.
He said the government has put a strict supervision of the drug lest it would not smuggle to USA, India, Afghanistan or other neighbouring countries. He said the government is scrutinising 100 applications for generic of the drug 'Sovaldi'. Responding to another question, he said that new management has taken charge of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). General Azhar Kayani is head of new management team which took oath after promulgation of the PMDC Ordinance on August 28.
Secretary further said that federal government proposed a bill in 2014 in Senate which was declined. The bill recommended the power of federal government in running the affairs of the council. Later, following the directives of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, an ordinance was promulgated.
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