ISLAMABAD: Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) has decided to participate in the month-long independence celebrations and as a first step it has instructed all pharmaceutical companies to print the Pakistani flag on their products.

The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has in principal agreed to the decision but finds it difficult to implement it because the stock of medicines has already been sent to the market.

Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar in a recent meeting discussed the programmes for celebrations starting from August 1.

Month-long Independence Day gala planned

One month celebrations are being observed on the directions of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The minister said it had been decided that ministry would contribute in a major way because only a healthy nation could realise the goal of a strong and prosperous Pakistan.

After detailed discussions, the theme and tagline “Azad Pakistan-Sehatmand Pakistanwas finalised.

All independence celebrations branding originating from the ministry shall carry this tagline, says a press release. It was further decided that all pharmaceutical companies had to affix stickers of Pakistani Flag on their products.

All existing billboards and hoardings displaying advertisements of pharmaceutical products will carry the tagline “Azad Pakistan-Sehatmand Pakistantheme during the entire month of August.

Banners will be displayed at all buildings of the ministry and all officers of the ministry, attached departments and subordinate organisations will wear badges of Pakistani flag during the entire month of August.

Health Services Academy (HSA) has been tasked to hold special seminars in connection with the celebrations highlighting challenges and progress in the health sector.

Dr Asif Kirmani also briefed the meeting about the arrangements being made by the government for the celebrations of independence.

President PPMA Nasir Javed Chaudhry while talking to Dawn said that although it was a good decision, most of the pharmaceutical companies would miss the train because that sort of decision should be taken well in time.

“Products are already in the market. However because of instructions of the ministry stickers will be pasted on the new products. We will also try to paste stickers on the products which have already been in medical stores,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2014