ISLAMABAD: Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Monday directed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) to have strong coordination with provincial governments for effective implementation of World Health Organisation (WHO) benchmarking standards and stated that he would personally ensure enhanced inter-governmental collaboration.

According to a statement, he was visiting Drap where he chaired a meeting to review ongoing reforms, regulatory advancements, and strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s pharmaceutical and vaccine landscape.

During the session, detailed briefings were given on the implementation progress of the Track and Trace System, particularly the introduction of 2D barcoding to enhance transparency and curb counterfeit medicines.

The minister also reviewed Drap’s ongoing automation initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and service delivery.

The meeting further assessed the post-approval roadmap following Pakistan’s National Vaccine Policy for local manufacturing, including progress on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indonesia.

Discussions also covered advancements under the WHO’s Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) for National Regulatory Systems, as well as ongoing provincial institutional reforms. Progress on the upgradation of the National Control Laboratory for Biologicals (NCLB) was also reviewed, along with updates on ongoing recruitment processes within Drap.

Meanwhile Mustafa Kamal met Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki in Islamabad. The meeting was convened to review the progress of the King Salman Hospital project and to reaffirm the deep-rooted bonds of fraternity and strategic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The minister assured Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki that the construction of the King Salman Hospital was being accorded the highest level of governmental attention and priority.

Ambassador Al-Malki reaffirmed the Kingdom’s continued support for Pakistan’s development endeavours and expressed confidence in the timely and successful completion of the King Salman Hospital.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2026