Islamabad: In response to the concerns of confirmation regarding the use of diagnostic chemicals below the required level, the Pakistan Drug Regulation Authority (DRAP) has started a campaign at the country level aimed at curbing illegal imports, unlicensed manufacturing, and unethical practices in the diagnostic reagent sector.
It was issued on January 31, 2025, calling for the DRAP field power to perform extensive inspections across the markets, importers, and wholesale distributors who deal with diagnostic reagents to ensure organizational compliance.
The Deputy Director of the Quality Assurance Department/LT at DRAP directed regional drug authorities to impose strict measures against violators. This includes the authorities in Punjab, its chain of transmission, Khyber Bakhtongua, Baluchistan, Gilgit in Pentestan, Azad Jamo and Kashmir, as well as drug inspectors in Islamabad and officials from the Pakistani Pharmacists Association (PPA) and the Health Care Committee.
The guidance urges these powers to conduct comprehensive inspections, ensure the compliance of diagnostic chemicals of legal standards and take necessary enforcement measures when violations are found. A detailed report is needed for the actions taken within three days.
This decision follows a warning from PPA in its letter dated January 29, 2025, which highlighted the anxious issue of selling fake and worse diagnostic reagents in the market. These Subpar products, which were often redraised as brands, were misleading of medical professionals, which leads to wrong diagnosis and improper treatments, which could have severe consequences.
PPA stressed that such violations not only endanger the patient’s safety, but also undermines the health care system and the economy, which makes organizational intervention necessary to protect public health.
