ISLAMABAD – Admitting the sale of around 40 to 45 percent spurious medicines in the country, Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Babar Awan and Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik have said that Government will come up with stringent legislation against spurious drugs and not allow anyone to play with the lives of the people.
Responding to a motion tabled by MNA Sheeren Arshad Khan in the National Assembly on Tuesday morning, Dr Babar Awan and Rehman Malik assured the House that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had given clear-cut instructions in this regard and, besides doing legislation in this connection, the people indulged in this crime of heinous nature would be dealt with an iron hand.
The motion demanded of the Government to take steps to stop sale of spurious medicines around the country. After the debate, the Lower House approved the motion unanimously.
Earlier, participating in the debate, Dr Azra Afzal, Riaz Pirzada, Tahir Orangzaib, Abdul Qadir, Yasmin Rehman, Barjis Tahir and others said that the drug inspectors and respective health departments had failed to take strict measures against quacks and sellers of fake medicines.
Spurious medicines are being sold openly, they said, adding that the license of those involved in selling of uncertified drugs should be cancelled. They also demanded of the Government to stop smuggling of illegal drugs from Bangladesh. Due to inadequate health facilities, they said, the quacks were also increasing therefore it was vital to approve legislation of Homeopathic and Tib immediately.
Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza in her remarks directed the concerned NA standing committee to review the bills against selling of spurious medicines around the country and table it in the Lower House for approval.
Responding to the questions of MNAs, Interior Minister Malik said he had ordered Federal Investigation Agency to take action against sellers of spurious drugs and drugs worth million of rupees were seized during the operation but those involved in such heinous crime got bail from court.
About 40 to 45 percent uncertified drugs, he admitted, were being sold in the country. He said he would table special report of FIA with regard to supply of spurious medicine by Shifa Drug Laboratory to Lady Health Workers Programme today (Wednesday) in the House.
Dr Babar Awan told the Lower House that Government was taking steps to stop sale of uncertified medicines. Actually provincial governments were responsible for implementation of drug laws but as the departments in the provinces were not working adequately, this illegal business was flourishing.
The National Assembly also approved another motion, demanding of the Government to take steps for the welfare of orphan children and needy women. Federal Minister for Population Welfare Firdous Awan commenting on motion said that Government had constituted national commission for children and national action plan had also been devised for the welfare of orphan children. A draft of national action plan has been tabled in the Federal Cabinet and bill with regard to protection of child had been sent to the Law Ministry and after approval, it would be tabled in the Lower House for final approval, she said.
Meanwhile speaking on a point of order, Babar Awan informed the Lower House that all recruitments in the government departments were made on merit and no PPP activist was given any favour in any of the department.
He asked the opposition to bring evidence of such an irregularity in recruitment instead of making false accusation.
Prime Minister Gilani has directed the concerned authorities for effective legislation to discourage business of spurious drugs and bring the culprits to justice. Interior Minister Rehman Malik informed National Assembly that the Prime Minister has directed him to look into the matter thoroughly and bring some legislation in consultation with the Health Ministry.