Islamabad: Patients in need of imported medicines received relief as the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) introduced a new portal to streamline medicine and medical device imports.
DRAP’s specialised portal, now live on its website, offers step-by-step guidance for importing medicines and medical devices. Hospitals and patients can directly access this tool to address shortages of essential items. The initiative is regulated under the Medical Device Rules, 2017, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
The portal link has been shared with provincial governments, enabling better coordination for institutions and individuals. Once import requests are approved, hospitals and patients can legally obtain their required medicines and devices.
Combatting Smuggled and Counterfeit Medicines
This development comes amid growing concerns about the influx of smuggled and counterfeit medicines in Pakistan. DRAP aims to discourage illegal imports, which often include products lacking verified quality and efficacy.
Recently, counterfeit Avastin injections were seized in various cities, with Roche Pakistan confirming the batches as fake. DRAP sources report millions of rupees worth of smuggled surgical instruments and medicines for critical illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease entering the market annually.
The portal aims to address these challenges by promoting legal imports and ensuring authentic products are available for patients.
Crackdown on Counterfeit Medicines
On December 3, DRAP banned eight batches of counterfeit and substandard medicines used for diabetes and life-saving treatments. The Central Drug Testing Lab in Karachi declared the batches as substandard due to unclear efficacy and potential risks to patient health.
The banned medicines include:
- Diabetes Tablet: Amplemet XR (Batch 39224)
- Antibiotic Injection: Esanix (Batch IA702)
- Drip Solution: Zesol Drip (Batch 2408207)
- Sterile Water for Injection: (Batch WI893)
- Bacterial Infection Medicine: Flagenis Suspension (Batch 0362)
- Anti-Allergy Syrup: Desora Syrup (Batch S23236)
- Vitamin B12 Infusions: Cyanoco Infusion (Batch 6609) and Cyanoco Super (Batch 6403)
These medicines were produced by manufacturers based in Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Haripur. DRAP conducted a series of crackdowns across Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, seizing counterfeit drugs and ensuring public safety.
A Step Towards Safer Healthcare
DRAP’s new portal and its recent actions underscore its commitment to protecting public health. By encouraging legal imports and clamping down on counterfeit medicines, the authority aims to ensure patients have access to safe, high-quality medical products.
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