Streamlining work of DRA: establishment of three boards notified

In a move to streamline the functioning of Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA), the Cabinet Division has notified establishment of three boards i.e., Registration Board, Pricing Board and Licensing Board, besides finalising appointment of authority''s permanent Chief Executive Officer (CEO) till Monday.
Well-placed sources told Business Recorder here on Sunday that earlier Syed Arshad Ali, Joint Secretary of the Cabinet was appointed as the CEO of DRA on temporary basis, but after the formation of National Regulation and Services Ministry, it was decided to put DRA under the new ministry. "Now the government has decided to appoint a new CEO for DRA on permanent basis that is likely to be finalised on April 16," sources added.
"To regulate the licensing, registration and manufacturing of drugs as per the Drugs Act 1976 would be unproblematic after the establishment of three Boards under DRA," sources revealed.
While talking exclusively to Business Recorder, Muhammad Asad, Chairman Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers'' Association (PPMA) said, "It is right that the prices of medicines have been increased in the domestic market across the country, but the pharmaceutical sector has not increased the medicine prices across the board, which means that just 20-25 per cent medicines'' prices increased."
The prices of the medicines have been increased by the pharmaceutical sector just because of the fact that their production cost has been exceeded more than their retail price. For example if the retail price of the medicine were Rs 45, its cost of production would be about Rs 52-53. These medicines are called the ''hardship cases'' and include cough syrups and appetisers, Asad disclosed.
The chairman added that it was wrong to say that there were any substandard medicines being sold at local market.