ISLAMABAD: As the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) is starting a campaign against spurious and substandard drugs on Monday (today), Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association has asked all chemists to cooperate with the authority to eradicate the heinous business.

Salahuddin Sheikh, a representative of the association, said chemists should cooperate with the authority so that the campaign being launched on the directions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan would become a success.

The chemists have been asked to ensure that the record of all purchases was available with them. If they don’t have a qualified person for selling medicines, they should stop the sale because selling drugs without a qualified person/pharmacist is a crime.

“In case of expired medicines, pack such drugs and keep them at a separate place. If you have consumer products, keep them separated from the registered products. Moreover, chemists should display their licences at prominent places,” Mr Sheikh stated in a letter to the chemists.

The chemists were also advised to keep pharmacies clean and arrange medicines properly. According to an official of Drap, the one-month campaign will be extended, if required.

“During the campaign, owners of printing presses will be told not to print any material other than registered products of licensed manufacturers/importers. A complaint cell and a central database will be established in Drap,” he added.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2018