Punjab Minister for Primary & Secondary Health Khawaja Imran Nazir has said that government would support and encourage the manufacturers of good quality medicines who observe Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in their units. However, no margin would be given to the elements involved in manufacturing of unregistered, spurious or substandard medicines. He stated this while talking to a delegation of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, who called on him here today. The delegation included Kh. Shahzeb Akram, Muhammad Aziz Nagra, Tahir Alam and others. Additional Secretary Drug Wing Muhammad Suhail, Chief Drug Controller Dr. Munawar Hayat and other concerned officers of the department were also present in the meeting. Kh. Imran Nazir said that pharmaceutical industry has a big role in the economy of the country and this industry is earning millions of dollars foreign exchange by exporting the medicines and thousands families are attached with this industry. Kh. Imran Nazir said that he believes that no registered pharmaceutical unit is involved in manufacturing substandard or spurious drugs but issues of good manufacturing practices are very common and this problem should be look into and resolved to ensure quality of the products. Kh. Imran Nazir urged upon the PPMA to play effective role in digging out the such illegal manufacturing units which are involved in preparing substandard, unregistered and spurious drugs. On this occasion, head of PPMA delegation Kh. Shahzeb Akram and other members apprised the Minister of the problems faced by the industry. They announced that they are standing with the government in the campaign to eradicate the illegal business of spurious and substandard medicines from the province and extend full support to the government in this regard. Kh. Imran Nazir revealed that uniform and strong policy should be evolved at country level against this heinous crime. He said that without launching vigorous campaign in all the provinces against spurious and substandard medicines, this illegal trade would not be eradicated completely. Kh. Imran Nazir assured the delegation to look into the demands and genuine problems of the industry would be resolved.
