August 09, 2006	Wednesday	Rajab 13, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 8: The Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench on Tuesday stopped the ministry of health from purchasing unregistered vaccines for its Expanded Programme for Immunisation (EPI).

The court issued the directives while hearing a petition filed by Dr Arshad Rana, the president of Pakistan Medical Association (Rawalpindi chapter).

The petitioner argued that purchase of the unregistered vaccines was a violation of Drug Act 1976. He prayed to the court to condition the health ministry to buy registered and standard quality medicines as required under the Drug Act Procurement Rules.

The court also directed the ministry to clear its position as why the supply orders of unregistered vaccines should not be cancelled.

The petitioner also requested the court to direct the ministry to produce details about the appointment of project managers.

He said the incumbent manager of the Expanded Programme for Immunisation, Dr Rehan Hafeez, had been working on the post for the last 10 years.

The judge directed the secretary health to present a report to the court on the issue within three weeks.

The next hearing will be held on Wednesday.