ISLAMABAD: Though the use of hand sanitisers has increased following the outbreak of Covid-19, there is still no authority to check and implement quality control of imported or locally-manufactured sanitisers.
This situation has arisen due to a decision taken by the federal cabinet in May last year to transfer manufacture and sale of sanitisers from Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
By law, Drap is the official agency that deals with medicines and over the counter (OTC) products, ensuring that quality items are being produced as per World Health Organisation (WHO) directives. The decision of the federal cabinet, transferring licensing and quality check of sanitisers to Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), however, created a gap in the system.
According to the audit report for the financial year 2018-19 and 2019-20, Drap was ineffective due to its non-composition. APP/File
ISLAMABAD: While the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) is in the limelight for its important role in registering the Covid-19 vaccines and allowing its clinical trials across the country, the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has found severe violations of rules in the authority and suggested appointment of a full-time head for it.
Besides, terming all decisions of Drap unlawful, the AGP has suggested that these be validated by the federal cabinet.
According to the audit report for the financial year 2018-19 and 2019-20, Drap was ineffective due to its non-composition as out of the total 13 directors, only one (director costing and pricing) held the position on a regular basis. The others held the posts on a temporary basis.
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday rejected challenges to the jurisdiction of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) to regulate the medical devices.
The Johnson & Johnson (Pvt) Limited and several other companies had filed petitions challenging the legality and authority of Drap to regulate the medical devices. They also challenged Medical Devices Rules, 2017 for being excessive essentially on the ground that the Medical Devices Board was without the required authority under the Drap Act.
The petitioners sought a declaration that Drap be permanently restrained from interfering in the manufacture, import and sale of medical devices.
The petitioners/companies included importers, exporters and manufacturers of the medical devices ranging from devices related to the Covid-19, such as masks, oximeters, shields and gloves, to devices related to cosmetic surgery, in-vitro diagnostic devices, ultrasound, sutures, stents, legatures, disposable syringes, stapler guns