ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Federal Minister for National Health Services (NHS) Mohammad Yousuf Shaikh on Friday directed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) to ensure availability of life saving drugs in the market.

Chairing a meeting in the ministry, he also directed as many as 26 ancillary departments of the ministry to submit reports about their issues which could be addressed on priority basis.

Director General NHS Dr Asad Hafeez while talking to Dawn said the minister was interested in the issues which could be addressed in a month and could provide benefits to the people.

While replying to a question Dr Hafeez said that the minister did not want to get involve in administrative issues and seemed more interested in the health related issues which would decrease the problems of people and was interested in getting early results.

“As the minister is also looking after some other ministries so he directed to submit reports and he will take appropriate decisions. Hopefully reports will be submitted to him in a few days,” he said.

According to a statement, the minister called upon the officers of the health ministry to focus their energies on provision of health services to the people.

The minister said that role of Drap was critical and every effort should be made to ensure the uninterrupted supply of essential and life savings drugs in the market.

He said that wider consultation was important to bring further improvement in the health sector. He asked the head of institutions under his ministry to devise and submit concrete recommendations in this regard.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2018