QUETTA: The government of Balo­chistan has banned the sale of medicines of 10 pharmaceutical companies allegedly involved in manufacturing spurious drugs, and warned chemists and medical stores of strict action if they are found trading with these firms.

Presiding over a meeting of the Provincial Quality Control Board (PQCB) on Tuesday, Health Secretary Noorul Haq Baloch shuffled drug inspectors in view of their performance, besides setting up a special monitoring cell which will submit a daily report regarding an ongoing campaign.

The meeting observed that many firms in Sindh and Punjab were producing spurious medicines and selling them in Balochistan and other provinces through their agents.

It took a serious note of doctors of government and private hospitals prescribing to their patients the medicines of companies involved in illegal manufacture of drugs.

Participants of the meeting vowed not to let anyone play with the lfie of people and decided that every possible action would be taken against owners of medical stores involved in the life-threatening business.

PQBC Chairman and Additional Secretary Abdul Rauf Baloch informed the meeting that 138 cases of selling spurious and junk medicines were sent to courts in 2016-17, while over 30 medical stores had been sealed in Quetta during the campaign.

Official sources said that there were around 2,300 medical stores in Quetta — 1,600 in the city and 700 in the periphery.

But, they added, 44 drug inspectors in the health department did not frequently visit these stores because there is a shortage of offices and vehicles in the department for them.

Drug Testing Laboratory Director Dr Amanullah said that despite having limited resources, the department was performing its duties. However, he said there was a need to develop a laboratory on modern lines.

PQBC Secretary Dr Imdadullah briefed the meeting about the ongoing campaign against spurious and substandard medicines.

Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri has asked all concerned, mainly the district administrations and the provincial health officials, to protect lives by making the campaign effective in this regard.

He called for involving divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners in the drive.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2017