WHETHER or not Prime Minister Gilani’s son, Ali Musa Gilani, is involved in the Ephedrine scandal is something that we may not find out. The report issued by the joint investigation committee tasked to look into the matter does not mention his name. What we do know, however, is that through quota manipulation and out-of-turn release of stock, international rules appear to have been violated and it is possible that the component, also known as ‘poor man’s cocaine’ in the medicine Ephedrine — has ended up on the market unregulated.

Ephedrine is a controlled chemical and is only allowed to be used internationally in prescribed quantities. It seems that the International Narcotics Control Board fixed an annual quota of 22,000kg for Pakistan for 2010-11, which was then supposed to give out contracts for its use to pharmaceutical companies depending on the companies’ record and the expected demand. However, the devolved ministry of health far exceeded this quota by allocating nearly 31,000kg of the substance. Two pharmaceuticals were allocated large quantities of Ephedrine to be exported, but the products were then allowed to be sold in the local market in violation of international quotas and “without any cancellation of order/document from the importing company”, says the report. The matter demands a thorough inquiry, for it could be an issue of public health safety. First, there is the matter of whether elements in official corridors are supporting unscrupulous practices that favour one pharmaceutical over another. But more importantly, it needs looking into whether drug quotas are being used as a cover to import into Pakistan substances that can be abused. As it is, the country has met with little success in clamping down on drug abuse and the availability of dangerous substances. If official quarters are involved, the problem could be bigger than imagined so far.