ISLAMABAD: Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) on Wednesday informed the National Assembly that the government had banned 89 medicines and suspended 18 drug manufacturers’ licenses for producing substandard medicines during the last four years.

In a written reply to a question asked by MNA Suraiya Jatoi the ministry stated that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) had serious concern over the manufacturing of substandard medicines and showed zero-tolerance to the culprits.

The MNA had asked whether the government had taken action against the pharmaceutical industry involved in manufacturing substandard medicines and about the number of companies banned during the last four years.

“Drap has cancelled/suspended the registration of 89 drugs of the pharmaceutical companies manufacturing substandard medicines. Moreover, licenses of 18 drug manufacturers have been cancelled/suspended during the last four years,” ministry informed the house.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2017