Establishment of DRA: Pharma Bureau hails government's decision

Pharma Bureau, a representative body of multinational pharmaceutical companies in Pakistan, has welcomed the government's decision to establish a centralised Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA) through a Presidential Ordinance and appreciated the appointment of an interim CEO of the body.
Whilst the need to induct a full time CEO is key, in line with the criteria laid out in the DRA Ordinance, the appointment of the interim CEO will allow the resumption of routine matters affecting the smooth functioning of the Pharma industry, according to a statement issued by Pharma Bureau on Tuesday.
The DRA would play an important role in framing policy and addressing all matters pertaining to the Pharma sector. The establishment of a centralized regulatory authority was much-needed after the devolution of the Ministry of Health to the provinces as a consequence of the 18th constitutional amendment, the Bureau said. The statement came after a meeting with the Bureau's top management with Syed Arshad Ali, CEO DRA in Islamabad. Asif Jooma, Chairman, Pharma Bureau, Abdul Majid CEO Pfizer, Tariq Wajid CEO Sanofi Aventis, Shahab Rizvi CEO Novartis and Dr Sadia Moazam, Executive Director Pharma Bureau were present at the meeting.
The regulatory body will be responsible to monitor and co-ordinate all matters affecting the health sector in the country at federal level. The notification of a federal DRA was the need of the hour, as many serious issues had surfaced post devolution of the Ministry of Health under 18th constitutional amendment, Asif Jooma Chairman Pharma Bureau said. The Pharma Bureau expressed its optimism that the government would soon complete the process of reviewing the DRA Ordinance for final ratification in consultation with all stakeholders and the appointment of a qualified and capable team to maintain the DRA, enabling it to achieve its objectives in the interest of the patients and the pharma industry, said Jooma.
The Pharma Bureau hoped that the newly established regulatory body and its newly appointed CEO, in consultation with all stakeholders, would make policies to resolve the outstanding issues that are greatly impacting the sustainability of the Pharma industry and affecting the availability of medicines in the country.-PR