ISLAMABAD: After receiving complaints that pharmacies charged heavy amounts from patients to import medicines not registered in Pakistan, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) on Saturday clarified that patients can import small quantities of such medicines themselves.

The process to get approval for the import has been simplified and now a patient just needs to submit an application along with the copy of their national identity card and original prescription of the physician to get approval for the import of a medicine for personal use, Drap said in a statement.

An official of Drap added that sometimes doctors prescribed medicines which were not available in the country because of a shortage or any other reason.

“In the international market, new medicines frequently arrive but they cannot be purchased from Pakistan.

“For example, when a medicine for hepatitis C was invented in the United States there was a huge requirement of it in Pakistan. However, the drug cannot be sold in Pakistan before registration,” he said.

“On the other hand, it has been observed that patients go to pharmacies to get any needed medicine. But pharmacies not only provide them smuggled medicines but there can also be a chance of substandard or spurious medicine being sold to them. Moreover, such medicines are provided to patients at a very high rate,” he said.

“There are a few medicines which are not registered in Pakistan due to patent issues or other reasons. Patients can apply to Drap offices in the capital or provincial headquarters for obtaining import permission,” the statement said.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Race against time
Updated 09 Feb, 2025

Race against time

While some bright spots emerged at Breathe Pakistan moot, we must streamline our climate governance.
Open door
09 Feb, 2025

Open door

THE door is still open for talks, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has reminded the PTI. What matters, however,...
Football suspension
09 Feb, 2025

Football suspension

ONCE again, Pakistan has been ousted from the global football family. FIFA recently suspended the Pakistan Football...
A year later
Updated 08 Feb, 2025

A year later

A war of egos has been fought between a handful of individuals at the cost of the well-being of millions of ordinary Pakistanis.
Wheat decision
08 Feb, 2025

Wheat decision

THE federal decision to stop setting the minimum support price for wheat and cease the staple’s procurement...
Dhanmondi attack
08 Feb, 2025

Dhanmondi attack

HISTORY has shown that unless states deliver development and equal rights to all, disenfranchised people can target...