PM Shehbaz orders to ban substandard syringes
To curb infectious diseases, PM Shehbaz Sharif mandated a nationwide ban on substandard syringes, legal action against violators, and a new strategy for disease control.
- Nationwide ban on substandard syringes.
- Legal action against unauthorized syringe use.
- New national strategy for disease control.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed to completely ban the manufacturing and use of substandard syringes across the country to immediately curb the spread of infectious diseases.
He was chairing a meeting in Islamabad regarding measures taken to prevent spread of HIV and Hepatitis C.
The prime minister instructed that legal action be taken against individuals and hospitals involved in the use of unauthorised syringes or found guilty of criminal negligence in preventing their use.
PM Shehbaz directed the formation of a special committee of experts to recommend measures for controlling communicable diseases. “The committee must ensure consultation with the provinces while formulating its recommendations,” he emphasised.
The premier instructed the Ministry of Law to work with relevant departments to propose necessary amendments to the legal and regulatory framework. He stressed that the development and effective implementation of a comprehensive national strategy is the key to addressing this challenge.
Shehbaz directed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to consult with the industry manufacturing medical devices and propose policy measures to permanently prevent the spread of infectious diseases through syringes.