Khyber Pakhtunkhwa pharmaceutical companies express concern over MFN status to India

The local pharmaceutical companies and chemists of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have expressed concern over the granting of MFN status to India and pending devolution of Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA) to provinces under the 18th constitutional amendments. They demanded putting Indian finishing medicines under MFN status on negative list and called for adoption of clear policy regarding devolving of DRA to provinces.
They expressed concerns during visit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Health Zahir Ali Shah to Sarhard Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) here on Saturday. SCCI president Afan Aziz, Vice President Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, Pakistan Chemist & Druggists Association (PCDA) KP General Secretary Mohammad Iqbal, Riaz Arshad, a local manufacturer of pharmaceutical productsy, Nasir Khan Musazai, and representatives of PCDA from different districts were also present on the occasion.
The pharmacists and manufacturers said that they are facing enormous difficulties in wake of unclear policy of federal government regarding devolution of DRA, adding that industry registration and other complex issues had raised vague position of federal and provincial governments about transferring of the authority.
They viewed that the pharmaceutical industry grew in the KP because of which 60 percent local manufacturing industry and 40 multinational companies established in the province. The manufacturers further said that the pharmaceutical industry had been the worst affected after the 18th constitutional amendment. Riaz said that the country would be much dependent on Indian medicines after granting of MFN status to India.
"We have serious implications about granting of MFN status of India," he grumbled. He added that local medicines' exports to more than 60 countries would be affected by the decision. He claimed that the quality control system has improved for manufacturing of medicines in Pakistan as compared to India. Regarding the devolving of DRA, he said the government's unclear policy has made much complexities and problems, which need to take immediate decision about it.
Mohammad Iqbal, General Secretary of PCDA, said that the reopening of private pharmacy shops at public sector teaching hospital was totally against the verdict of Supreme Court. He demanded of the provincial government to withdraw its decision in favour of local businesses. "We are against to contact the Drug Regulatory Authority under Federal Government despite passage of 18th constitutional amendment," he maintained. He called for clear policy about the devolution of DRA.