Islamabad,
July 13, 2019 (PPI-OT): The Prime Minister has lauded
the performance of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services,
Regulation and Coordination due its efforts in reducing drug prices. This was
disclosed by Chairman Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services,
Regulation and Coordination, Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh in a meeting
held on Friday. He said that price reduction of 5000 medicines is in the
pipeline.
While discussing the progress on the
Islamabad Compulsory Vaccination and Protection of Health Workers Bill moved by
Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chairman Committee, Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq
Shaikh directed the Ministry to accommodate all government changes in the Bill
and submit it to the Committee next week. The Ministry assured the Committee
that changes would be submitted by Friday 19 July, 2019.
Discussing the import of medicines and
vaccines from India, Senator Abdul Rehman Malik was of the view that in order
to curb shortage of Snake Venom Serum and Rabies vaccines, it must be made
mandatory for local manufacturer’s to produce these vaccines in addition to
profit making medical products, that flood markets. He said that it was a pity
that medicines were being imported from India and China, when Pakistan is
self-sufficient in medical raw material and that vaccines manufactured here
would be much more affordable.
While taking up the matter of increasing
vaccine production at NIH, the committee was informed that a proposal to expand
the Vaccines Centre at NIH was underway and that the Institute was currently
producing 25000 viols of Snake Venom Serum and 100000 viols of Rabies Vaccines
which once expanded will increase to 100000 and 700000 respectively.
The Committee took strict notice of lack
of vaccines in provinces especially Sindh and Balochistan. The Committee was
informed that delay in payment from provinces led to shortage. Chairman
Committee, Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh directed NIH to submit SOPs for
production and supply of vaccines to the Committee. He also said that the Act
must be reviewed and that rules must be mended so that Federal and Provincial
Health Institutes may benefit from it.
Considering the point of public
importance moved by Pakistan Cigarette, Pan and Cold Drink Retailers
Association, the Committee was informed that 700 families were out of income
sue to ban on display of cigarettes. Chairman Committee, Senator Mian Muhammad
Ateeq Shaikh directed the Ministry that a middle way must be sought so that
these families may be helped without violating international treaties. He
further stated that he regrets the closing of Sheesha Bars in the country, due
to the efforts of his Committee, four years ago since now this has made its way
in homes. The Health Ministry informed the Committee that this was an
administrative decision and that it was not involved in it.
While taking up the issue of raised
prices and low quality of drugs raised by Senator Kulsom Parveen, the Committee
recommended that details of tendering of chemists must be submitted. It also
directed that FID must conduct a survey to determine number of fake medication
in the market. While discussing the PMDC Bill 2019, the Committee directed the
organization that details of procedures for appointment and recognition of
honorary degrees must be submitted to the Committee by next week.
Chaired by Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq
Shaikh, the meeting was attended amongst others by Senator Manzoor Ahmed Kakar,
Senator Dr. Asad Ashraf, Senator Liaqat Khan Tarakai, Senator Dilawar Khan,
Senator Abdul Rehman Malik, Senator Dr. Ashok Kumar, Senator Sardar Muhammad
Shafiq Tareen, Senator Dr. Ghous Muhammad Niazi, Senator Kalsoom Parveen,
Senator Rana Mahmood -ul-Hassan and senior officers from the Ministry of
National Health Services, Regulations and Services along with all concerned.
For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2,
Islamabad, Pakistan
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk