Regulation of infant formula milk removed from DRAP’s control

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ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to abolish the authority of the Authority of Pakistan, the Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP), on the rules of Baby Milk and ordinary children, from which the responsibility has been transferred to the provincial food departments.

On Tuesday, DRAP officials told him the Senate Committee. The decision was finalized after months of talks in the Special Investment Facility (SIFC) and the Board of Investment (BOI) forums.

DRAP officials said they are ready to implement the decision by amending the relevant laws, which has already been examined by the Law and Justice Division. He said that amendments were being made to the Cabinet Committee for legislative cases (CCLC) for final approval.

During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, DRAP officials informed the members. He said under the DRAP Act, 2012 and was classified as alternative medicine and health products (enrollment) rules, 2014, Baby Milk and Foods first as health and OTC products (non -drugs).

However, due to the dual regulatory frame work – where the drip and the provincial food departments overcome the jurisdiction – confused and incompetent in the implementation and surveillance.

To resolve the issue, stakeholders concluded that all the products of children’s milk and newborns for general use would now be regular by provincial food authorities. This drop will maintain jurisdiction on children’s milk and especially for medical needs.

After a detailed briefing, the Senate Committee agreed to review the issue at the next camera meeting to discuss its wider implications on public health and consumer protection.

The meeting, chaired by Senator Aamir Waliuddin Chishti, also focused on several critical issues that were facing Islamabad’s health care infrastructure. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal revealed a descendant public private partnership model plans to reduce pressure on public hospitals, allegedly serving ten times more than his ability.

He maintained that work on this model will begin within the next 15 to 20 days, with the involvement of non -profit private health care agencies.

Mustafa Kamal confirmed the preparations for the Jinnah Medical Complex in Islamabad – which is one of the largest research and teaching hospitals in the region.

Lawmakers have expressed serious concern over the condition of the federal government’s polyclinic hospital, Senators Masrwar Ahmed and Mashidullah have called it “broken” and disqualified for serving patients. He said that despite being a senator, he had to stand in line with patients and personally witnessed the lack of medication and doctor’s availability.

Minister Kamal acknowledged the heavy burden facing two major hospitals in Islamabad and 30 basic health units (BHU), which not only serve about 2.7 million residents of the city, but also offers patients from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Originally designed for 3,000 patients, these facilities are now watching 30,000 visits daily. The Minister said that in addition to public private partnerships, new branches of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) are being constructed in Islamabad. He said that earlier, 266 beds, such as 266 beds of the hospital, will be activated soon.

Chairman Senator Aamir Waliuddin Chishti expressed concern over the lack of planning and vision in Islamabad’s health infrastructure. He questioned that despite the increasing population of the capital – despite exceeding 3 million, only two major government hospitals continue to serve the entire city.

He emphasized the need for a long -term solution rather than temporary reforms. He emphasized on the available infrastructure, including a 266 -bed hospital which is built during the Covade 19, should be fully used to reduce the load.

Senator Chishti recommends setting up an additional major government hospital in Islamabad. He remarked, “This city cannot be run on outdated models. We need expansion and improvement.”

The meeting also took advantage of the deep root issues with the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), the minister termed it as a “mafia -like” institution, and alleged that he had been subjected to corruption, internal mismanagement and abuse.

He said he lacks legal authority to restore the institution, though he has an informal effect.

Committee members assured full support for amending the legislation to bring the council under proper regulatory control. A briefing was also proposed in the camera on the matter.

The committee expressed his displeasure over the absence of the Vice -Chancellor of Health Services Academy, which was formally summoned, but failed to participate without providing clarification and recommended the issue to be referred to the privilege committee.