A CERTAIN level of confusion in the aftermath of the 18th Amendment was predictable. What is happening in the drugs sector, however, is beyond the pale. For several months after the devolution of the federal health ministry, the drugs sector was operating outside of any regulatory framework. Earlier this week, it transpired that pharmaceuticals had used the hiatus to sharply jack up the prices. That deficiency was addressed in February, with the establishment of the Drug Regulatory Agency of Pakistan. Yet we learn now that over 6,500 drugs manufactured in the country are running short because the federal government has not renewed manufacturing licences since December. For the past three decades, no-objection certificates have been issued every six months by the Cabinet Division for ‘toll’ or contract manufacturing of certain drugs. This responsibility now lies with DRAP working under the newly created Regulations and Services Division. But for reasons unfathomable — other than inefficiency — the NoCs have not been issued. Reportedly, the DRAP chairman and secretary of the Regulations and Services Division, Faridullah Khan, has yet to take up the matter although the Authority has been provided a list of drugs likely to disappear from the market soon.

Amongst the drugs whose supplies are drying up are life-saving medicines as well as commonly used ones such as Panadol, Flagyl and Benadryl. The pressure is already being felt. The administration’s delay is inexplicable. If the issue lies in pricing mechanisms whereby the savings multinationals make by using toll manufacturing ought to be shared by consumers, as the federal minister for the Regulations and Services Division, Firdous Ashiq Awan, has indicated, then that should be settled. If it is sheer inefficiency, that is indefensible. Whatever the case, the manufacture and supply to the market of locally made drugs needs to resume to tackle the crisis.