DRAP resists bids to declare breast milk substitutes as food items
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In this representational image, a woman feeds her child. — unicef.org/File
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ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) is resisting efforts to retrieve children’s formulas and breast milk replacement from therapeutic products to foods, legal obstacles and strict regulatory monitoring Referring to the need, officials told the Senate Standing Committee on Tuesday. .
The Senate panel, headed by Senator Aamir Waliuddin Chishti, expressed support for the Drip’s stance, confirmed that the newborn formula should be under the regulatory framework of Drip instead of transferring to provincial food authorities.
The committee directed the drop to ensure that the ads of the children’s formula contain a clear warning that states that powder milk is not an alternative to breast milk. The move is aimed at breastfeeding and emphasizing the importance of breastfeeding because the nutrition of children is a source of nutrition, and to ensure that children with healthy growth essential nutrients are essential nutrients. Find.
The committee observed that the special rate of breastfeeding in Pakistan is only 48 %, the main reason for the aggressive marketing of formula milk companies, which includes promotional campaigns and financial privileges for healthcare professionals. Yes.
Members argued that the use of a newborn formula has increased the incidence of diarrhea, pneumonia and other infectious diseases in children, which is a nutritional deficiency. Low children are deprived of the necessary benefits of breast milk, which the World Health Organization (WHO) and health experts recommend as the best source of nutrition for newborns.
Drip officials told the committee that under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Food Authority, efforts are underway to retrieve the formulas of children from treatment to treatment to food products, from treatment to food products.
However, Drip has resisted the move, as it will require amending the Drop Act. Unless the legislature changes, milk substitutes will be classified as treatment under the drip regulatory framework.
The Senate panel also discussed concerns over more fees from private medical colleges despite regulatory sanctions. The members criticized private medical colleges, calling them a “mafia” without any check, which demanded the students up to Rs 3 million annually.
Senator Paulosha Khan called for immediate compensation for additional fees in 2024, emphasizing strict compliance with the rules and regulations. Senator Humayun Muhammad questioned that despite the recommendations of the Senate subcommittee and the rules of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), private colleges have been imposing excessive fees.
Senator Aamir Chishti directed the PMDC president to take decisive action in violation of fees rules against private colleges, and emphasized that the matter has been raised to the Deputy Prime Minister. He warned that the failure to provide financial aid would lead to more legal and regular intervention by the Senate Committee.
Members of the committee also raised concerns over irregularities at the Poly Clinic Hospital and the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). Senator Masur Ahsan expressed disappointment over his misconduct at the poly clinic, saying that despite filing a complaint, no reform action was taken.
Officials acknowledged that the burden of emergency patients in the polyclinic has increased more than a thousand, only four doctors are available. Special Secretary Health expressed regret over the situation and assured that steps would be taken to address the shortage of staff.
Chairman Aamir Chishti condemned health officials, accusing him of ignoring public complaints. He demanded an immediate review of the complaints against the hospital administration and said that public health institutions must be held accountable.
Under the new PMDC Act, PMDC officials briefed the committee on planned MDCAT exam reforms. The revised system ensures that any two candidates receive the same question paper, which increases transparency and justice.
In addition, the MDCAT exam will now be done on the basis of provincial domicile, which means that students should be present for tests in their respective provinces.
Members of the committee also expressed concern over irregularities in the MDCAT exams, especially on September 22 in the Home Sindh. Officials alleged that faculty members of Dow Medical University were among the mismanagement.
In response, the PMDC assured the committee that the MDCAT curriculum was being standardized at the national level so that they could resolve the complaints about questions outside the slabs.
In addition, members of the committee criticized private medical colleges for receiving excessive tuition fees. He called on the PMDC to introduce a standard fee structure.
PMDC officials said they were working on the budget proposal, but the final instructions of the Deputy Prime Minister’s office were awaited before the implementation.
Chairman Aamir Chishti warned that if the complaints related to the fee remain next year, the PMDC would be held accountable if he failed to manage medical college fees.
