ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Federal government to establish a ‘Drug Regulatory Authority’ within 10 days, after it was informed on Monday that five countries had banned import of Pakistani drugs after the death of over 135 cardiac patients in Lahore as a result of reaction to some drugs.A three-member bench comprising Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Mian Saqib Nisar directed the Punjab Advocate General and representatives of the Federal government to convey the court’s reservations over the matter to their respective governments.The court directed that the copies of the decision about establishment of Drug Regulatory Authority be made available to all the chief secretaries, who would provide these copies to their respective chief ministers. During the hearing, the court was dismayed over non-formation of a Drug Regulatory Authority so far and even after devolution of the health department to the provinces, and termed it a serious matter.Justice Jillani noted that five countries had banned import of Pakistani drugs, whereas the government was registering cases against the accused on media reports instead of inquiry findings. The court expressed apprehensions and terminated proceedings when it was informed that Punjab Advocate General Ashtar Ausaf Ali, could not turn up as he was on the way to the court. The court, however, resumed proceedings after the advocate-general appeared.The apex court also expressed dissatisfaction on the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) report into the matter and said to the FIA’s Director (Legal) Muhammad Azam Khan that report indicated as if the cases were being registered against the accused on the press reports instead of proper investigations.Azam told the court that a joint investigation team comprising FIA officials and drug inspectors was constituted on the directions of the interior ministry and it was investigating the matter. The report stated that investigations were underway against three pharmaceutical manufacturers including Alpha Pharma, Pharmawise and Mega Pharma and the samples of their drugs had been sent to Karachi Drug Testing Laboratory.He said according to the Karachi’s laboratory report, the drugs of Alpha Pharma were found spurious, besides its manufacturing licence had also expired.  Ashtar told the court that autopsy of three people, who died due to reaction of spurious drugs, was conducted to ascertain the death’ causes. In this regard, he said, action had been taken against the Efroz Pharma Karachi and the responsible had been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL). The court adjourned further hearing by February 17.