LAHORE, Dec 2: The Punjab Drug Act 1976 and the Drug Rules 1988 are proposed to be amended shortly to check preparation and sale of spurious and sub-standard drugs in the province.

Punjab Health Minister Prof Mahmood Ahmed disclosed this at a meeting of the Executive District Officers (Health) here. He said that the proposed amendments would be submitted for the approval of the governor shortly.

He said that equipment for setting up a modern drug testing laboratory at Multan had been acquired already. A director would be appointed shortly for starting work on the project. The drug testing laboratory at Lahore would also be modernized.

The minister said that the governor had ordered stepping up of the campaign against the menace of spurious and sub-standard drugs. He said that the samples of medicines taken from all the districts should be sent to the drug testing laboratory promptly. Those found guilty of preparing and selling sub-standard drugs should be prosecuted.