Islamabad, 10^th August, 2016. A meeting of the Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination held today at 11:30 a.min Committee Room of Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, Islamabad, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Khalid Hussain Magsi, MNA, to discuss the following agenda.

i)                   Comprehensive briefing/discussion on DRAP to analyze performance, functions and issues.

ii)                 Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2016, moved by Dr. Fouzia Hameed, MNA.

2.         Dr. Fouzia Hameed, MNA, Mover of the Bill briefed the Committee on the Bill in detail. The members of the Committee gave their valuable views and suggestions on the Bill. After suggestions from Honourable Members Ministry stated that bill may be sent to Ministry of Law & Justice once again for further vetting. Draftsman from the Ministry of Law & Justice stated that it is a provincial subject there is no need to make amendments in this bill. It needs notification for implementation he added that if this bill is passed from Committee, it will create complications.

3.         The Secretary, Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination advised the Committee that policy board of the Ministry will review this bill, compile the replies and then submit this bill to the Ministry of Law & Justice for vetting and then it will be submitted to the Standing Committee for consideration. The Committee agreed to the advice of the Ministry of NHSR&C.

4.         CEO DRAP apprised the Committee while briefing that new Federal Drug Inspectors will be appointed very soon to improve the quality of work. The Committee directed the Ministry to remove the flaws from the DRAP and make the system transparent. The Secretary, Ministry of NHSR& Co. apprised the Committee that measures are being taken to remove the corruption from DRAP and improve the system.    

5.         The meeting was attended by Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, Ms. Shakila Khalid Luqman, Dr. Mehreen Razaq Bhutto, Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Dr. Muhammad Azhar Khan Jadoon, Dr. Nikhat Shakeel Khan, Qari Muhammad Yousaf MNAs, Dr. Fouzia Hameed, MNA (mover of the Bill) and Minister for State National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination beside senior Officers from Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination.