Supreme Court seeks details of qualification of DRAP board's members

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought statement from Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) over qualification of its board members while hinting at reconstitution of registration board of the Authority. Resuming the hearing in suo motu notice regarding implantation of substandard stents in Punjab hospitals, a three-member bench led by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar observed that only qualified members should be appointed in the DRAP.
During the course of proceedings, it was pointed out that the Chinese stents are being registered in the country to which Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar observed the Chinese stents are being registered whereas applications for the registration of American, Japanese and German stents have been pending with the DRAP.
Expressing dismay over the situation, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar made it clear that there would be zero tolerance to any negligence and error in the matter in hand, adding that the authorities in USA are not irresponsible to approve substandard stents. He further observed that the court would not allow implantation of smuggled stents, saying if anything comes in their knowledge in this regard in future, it would not be tolerated.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar remarked that doctors used to take out stents from the briefcase and implant in the patients, adding that the patients should know about the quality of stents infused in their heart.
Responding to Additional Attorney General for Pakistan Waqar Rana that there would be a meeting on the issue during the course of day, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar said the DRAP should invite all the stakeholders in the meeting and its minutes be submitted before the court.
At the outset, Waqar Rana submitted the joint report of Ministry of Health and DRAP, saying the decision on the applications for the registration of stents would be made soon, while the advertisements have been published in the newspapers for new applications. He further informed that DRAP and the officials of provincial governments have held four meetings in this regard. Later, hearing of the matter was adjourned till first week of March.