ISLAMABAD, Oct 2: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has approved the setting up of an autonomous Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA) with a view to ensure supply of quality drugs to people and streamline the registration of drugs.
Necessary registration in respect of setting up of the authority would be presented in the cabinet for approval.
The prime minister gave the approval while presiding over a meeting here on Monday during which a detailed briefing on the drug authority was given by the health secretary.
The meeting was attended by federal Health Minister Mohammad Nasir Khan, Health Secretary Syed Anwar Mehmood, Health Director General Maj-Gen Shahida Malik and senior officials.
Mr Aziz was informed that the draft of the Drug Regulatory Authority (RDA) Act had been finalized in consultation with all stakeholders including, PPMA, Pharma Bureau, PPA, PMA, provincial governments and the civil society.
The health secretary in his presentation said the DRA would be an autonomous organisation represented by all stake holders. Its establishment would consolidate and regulate the enforcement of laws regarding drugs and medical devices.
The RDA would contribute to the promotion of rational use of drugs with ethical marketing practices and rationalisation of prices of drugs, medicines and medical devices.
The DRA would ensure accessibility to those in need of quality, safe and efficacious drugs, medicines and medical devices.
The authority would promote research and development, use and transfer of technology in drug and medicine sector and pharmacovigilance and drug information system, the prime minister was informed.
The authority would comprise chairman and full time members, as heads of units. The full time members would be separately responsible for registration, licensing and quality control, research and strategic planning, pricing and finance and administration and legal affairs.
Mr Aziz was informed that a Drug Regulatory Authority Policy Board would be set up which would be headed by the federal minister for health and would have representation of federal government, provincial governments and professionals from the public and private sector.
The policy board would be responsible for framing the policy for the performance and functions of the authority.
Meanwhile, talking to former caretaker prime minister and US-based Emerging Partnerships chairman Moeen Qureshi, Mr Aziz said that Pakistan was continuing its economic growth, development and the structural reform agenda so as to further improve the standard of living of the people.
The prime minister highlighted various reforms initiated in the financial services, agriculture, industry, governance, justice and security fields.
He apprised Mr Qureshi of the priorities of the government in the social sector and the steps taken by it for employment generation, better facilities of health and education.
Mr Aziz said the government had made record high allocation of over Rs415 billion for the Public Sector Development Programme which covered a host of areas, including power generation, communications, education, infrastructure development, health care, irrigation and construction of water reservoirs.
The prime minister said the government was encouraging public-private partnership particularly in port management, electricity generation and telecom sector.
The Prime Minister said that inflation was beginning to show a downward trend and the 6-8 per cent growth target would be achieved.
He said the government continued to encourage domestic and foreign investment, which was occurring at a record level in manufacturing, agriculture, services sector, tourism, construction, real estate development, IT and telecom.
Mr Qureshi informed the prime minister of the plans of his group to invest in infrastructure, IT and energy sectors through various funds his group managed the world over.