ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal announced that a crackdown against fake and substandard medicines will begin from May 19.
As per detail, Market surveillance and raids based on confidential complaints will be conducted across the country. A meeting of provincial health ministers, chaired by Federal Minister Mustafa Kamal, was held, which was attended by Punjab’s Minister of Health Khawaja Imran Nazeer and Sindh’s Minister of Health Azeera Afzal Pichowa.The meeting reviewed ongoing efforts and measures to eliminate counterfeit and substandard medicines.
According to a spokesperson from the Ministry of Health, under the leadership of Federal Minister Mustafa Kamal, actions are being initiated.The spokesperson stated that Mustafa Kamal emphasized that starting May 19, a nationwide crackdown against fake and substandard medicines will be launched. The campaign has been initiated with the revitalization of the National Task Force 2025.He further stated that extensive inspections and operations across the country will resume. Federal, provincial, customs, FIA, and other agencies will work together to advance the campaign.
He added that strict monitoring of pharmaceutical factories and distribution networks will be carried out. Citizens will be provided with tools to identify fake medicines and to register complaints.The Minister of Health revealed that DRAP (Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan) is launching a mobile app that will offer various facilities, including barcode scanning for immediate verification of medicines to ensure whether they are genuine or fake.
