No spurious drug being manufactured: Shahabuddin

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2010-04-07T01:34:02+05:00 Khalid Aziz
ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Health Makhdoom Shahabuddin on Tuesday said Pakistans pharmaceutical exports of US $ 120 million to 60 countries of the world proved the quality of drugs being manufactured in the country. The Minister also rejected Rehman Maliks statement that 40-50 percent drugs manufactured in Pakistan were spurious. Maliks statement regarding the drugs used by the quacks operating in the country, Makhdoom added while winding up a debate on an adjournment motion regarding the manufacturing of spurious drugs in the country. The Minister further said that Pakistan tested 80,000 samples of drugs on the international level while India tested only 15,000 samples. Only 0.01 percent samples tested, so far, have been found spurious, he added. He also admitted that the prices of drugs in Pakistan were relatively higher as compared to other countries of the region. He assured of strict action against the drug mafia involved in production of substandard and spurious drugs but asked the lawmakers to indicate specific cases. He also assured to revamp the system for checking quality of the drugs manufactured in the country. The Minister confidently informed that the health expenditures would be remarkably enhanced during the next fiscal year. Earlier, while initiating debate on the issue, mover of the motion Abdul Haseeb Khan said Maliks statement badly affected Pakistans pharmaceutical exports and shattered the trust of Pakistani doctors and patients. Pakistan has washed out India from African markets, which is now making full use of Maliks statement to harm Pakistans pharmaceutical exports, Haseeb Khan angrily said.Later, while talking to TheNation, Senator Haseeb Khan said Pakistans pharmaceutical industry would have to take great pains to rebuild its image abroad. He urged the Government to encourage its industry instead of discouraging the same. He, however, said no export contract was lost due to the established reputation of Pakistans quality drugs. Senator Dr Ismail Buledi stressed on existence of spurious drugs in the country on large scales and called for formation a committee to thoroughly look into the matter. Senator Haji Adeel said 50 percent of drugs being supplied to the Government hospitals were spurious, adding that there was no check on the prices of medicines. Senator Ishaq Dar urged the Government to come up with a clear policy on the issue. Senator Wasim Sajjad called for handling of the issue with care so that no harm is caused to the pharmaceutical industry. Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi said all crimes in the country were being committed with connivance of the concerned Government-run departments. Senator Prof Khurshid said a powerful mafia is responsible for production of spurious drugs, saying the regular pharmaceutical industry produced quality drugs. Senator Zahid Khan said that the Ministry of Health was totally inefficient. He also called for implementation of the recommendations of the Senate Standing Committee on Health. Senator Salim Saifullah Khan called for formation of a drug regulatory authority on the pattern of PEMRA, OGRA etc. Senator Semi Siddiqui urged the Government to commission drug stores like the utility stores to provider cheaper and quality drugs to poor masses. Senator Mushahidullah Khan alleged that former health minister Ijaz Jakhrani had registered 345 drugs manufactured by only three companies. He also alleged that the PIMS doctors were forcing patients to purchase medicines from specific medical stores. Senator Fozia Fakhr-uz-Zaman called for investigating the reports regarding supply of spurious drugs worth Rs 70 million for the National Health Programme. On conception, the House offered Fateha for the victims of blasts in Timergara and Peshawar.
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