ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) on Wednesday launched online import and export management system under which real time monitoring and data management of medicines would become possible.

Talking to Dawn, Drap Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Asim Rauf said the online import and export management system would address all issues related to availability of medicines.

“We will be able to check, anytime, what quantity of medicine is available in the country and how many consignments are in the pipeline. Manual entries of medicines have been totally banned due to which data will be available on one click,” he said.

Replying to a question, Dr Rauf said the other initiative was to launch e-governance system and move files online.

CEO says system to address issues related to medicines’ availability

“It will end the trend of delays as online monitoring will be conducted and no one will be able to amend files. The third initiative is that we have made our website compatible with international regulatory authorities such as the America’s FDA. Now pharmaceutical companies and general public can easily download forms and get information from the website,” Dr Asim said.

He said import and export online software was developed in collaboration with USAID and e-governance system developed by NITB.

Meanwhile, speaking at the launching ceremony of Drap’s electronic initiative held on Wednesday, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan appreciated the efforts of Drap and said, “the government of Pakistan’s digitisation drive will lead to ease of doing business for the pharma industry as the prime minister envisioned”.

Drap now has the software and business processes re-engineered to bring efficiency, transparency and accountability, he added.

Health Secretary Aamer Ashraf Khawaja and USAID Mission Director Julie A. Koenen were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, the health secretary said: “Drap is on the right track. There is a permanent CEO. I would like to thank USAID for their assistance in developing a transparent system for Drap.”

Ms Koenen said: “I would like to applaud the Government of Pakistan’s demonstrated commitment to developing the pharmaceutical industry and achieving international standards for medicine quality assurance systems.”

Country Director Chemonics International, Dr Mohammad Tariq, appreciated the technical team work between the Drap and GHSC PSM Project’s teams.

NITB Executive Director Hussnain Abbas Kazmi was also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2022