April 18, 2006	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 19, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, April 17: The government is launching a multi- pronged drive against the trade of spurious and substandard drugs, unethical health practices and ensuring availability of essential drugs in the country.

“The number of drug courts is also being doubled from the existing 10 for prompt disposal of drug related cases and ease out pendency,” Federal Health Secretary Anwar Mehmood told reporters here on Monday soon after presiding over a meeting of the provincial health secretaries and AJK, directors-general health of the provinces and chief drug inspectors.

The meeting was called in line with the direction of the Supreme Court to the federal controllers of the quality of medicines to develop a comprehensive policy to check the flow of spurious drugs.

It will not be a mere one-off campaign rather a countrywide integrated movement against adulterated, spurious and substandard medicines, the secretary assured the mediapersons adding that both Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) and the Pharma Bureau, an association of the multinational pharmaceutical manufacturers, would be part of the drive.

The law ministry is also being requested to immediately fill vacancies in the drug courts, he said, adding that the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) would also be asked to check the smuggling of raw materials and unregistered medicines into Pakistan.