PESHAWAR: The provincial government has launched a month long crackdown on quack doctors and illegal clinics across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The drug inspectors and deputy commissioners, additional and assistant commissioners would be taking part in the crackdown, who would furnish progress reports to the performance management and reforms unit (PMRU) after conclusion of the operation, said Adil Saafi, the head of the unit.

While drug inspectors have already been empowered to take action and prevent such illegal practices under Drugs Act, 1976, the provincial government has also empowered, under section 10(1) of the Allopathic System (prevention of misuse) Ordinance, 1962, the deputy commissioners, additional deputy commissioners and assistant commissioner as well as the additional assistant commissioners to take necessary action against those violating the relevant provisions of the ordinance.

The PMRU head said that although drug inspectors were already entitled to do the job, on many occasions they needed help of the district administration in taking action against quack doctors or illegal clinics. The empowering of the deputy commissioners and other officials to also take necessary action would strengthen their move against the culprits who played with lives of the people.

After the crackdown against quacks, further legal action would be taken against them, he added.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2018