ISLAMABAD, July 5: The government, manufacturers and retailers on Tuesday agreed on a code of conduct to discourage sale of smuggled medicines and ensure availability of life-saving drugs at control rates in the market. Representatives of the health ministry, pharmaceutical industry, chemists and druggists association agreed on making joint efforts to ensure availability of essential drugs in the market at affordable prices, at a meeting held here.

Presided over by Health Minister Mohammad Nasir Khan, the meeting decided to take measures to eliminate smuggling of drugs to and from neighbouring and other countries.

It was decided that no smuggled, unregistered or expired drug would be kept and sold by any chemist in the country. Besides, the Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association would assist the health ministry in identifying sources of spurious drugs so that appropriate action could be taken by the government.

It was also decided that cigarettes or other tobacco products would not be kept and sold by any chemist.

The health minister underlined the need for quality drugs and stressed upon the manufacturers to maintain quality as per international standards.

“The government would like to see pharma industry progress and expand rapidly,” the minister said, adding that the government intended to provide facilities to the industry so that it could compete in the international market and earn valuable foreign exchange.

It was also decided that the manufacturers would supply medicines only in sealed bottles to ensure quality. The meeting also agreed to sort out issues relating to similarity in brand names, packing and prices.

Participants of the meeting also agreed on delivery of drugs by distributors to retailers without affecting efficacy and quality of medicines.

Steps would also be taken in consultation with the provinces to enhance availability of trained pharmacists to run drug stores.

MNA Hanif Abbasi, Health Secretary Syed Anwar Mehmood, Director-General Health Dr Abdul Majeed Rajput and senior officers from the Drugs Control Organization also attended the meeting.