(Publish from Houston Texas USA)
(By Muhammad Mansoor Mumtaz, Lahore)
Professor Shahid Malik, President of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), has expressed deep concern over the incomplete information regarding drug registration, pricing, and availability on the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) website.
He stated that in compliance with the orders of the Federal Constitutional Court and at the request of the PMA, DRAP had launched a website listing the registration status and prices of all registered medicines across the country. However, the website still does not indicate the availability or non-availability of these drugs, nor does it provide the names of pharmacies in different cities where the medicines are stocked. As a result, the public cannot access complete and timely information.
Professor Malik cited the example of rabies immunoglobulin, a life-saving medicine, which is available at a private pharmacy in front of Services Hospital, Lahore. Due to the lack of information on the website, patients face significant difficulties and both mental and physical stress. If the website included the availability of medicines and the names of local pharmacies, patients and their families could receive immediate and accurate guidance.
He further emphasized that until the availability status and city-wise pharmacy details are included, the public cannot access complete information.
The PMA President issued an ultimatum to DRAP’s Chief Executive Officer and Director of IT, demanding that the website be fully upgraded within the next seven days. The upgrade should include complete availability and non-availability status, city-wise listings, and pharmacy details to ensure that both doctors and the general public can benefit directly and the currently incomplete website becomes fully functional and effective.
