The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted ten days to Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Co-ordination and Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to submit a comprehensive report pertaining to details of existing price, quality and volume of import of stents for the heart patients in the country. Resuming the hearing of a suo motu notice taken in response to some complaints of fake implantation of stents, a three-member bench led by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar also issued directives to the secretary Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Co-ordination to convene an emergency meeting of stakeholders in the matter.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar categorically observed that participants of the talk shows should refrain from discussion over the issue in hand in order to prevent panic in the society.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar hinted at passing an order to stop discussion if the concerned anchorpersons fail to refrain from such type of discussion over sensitive issues in the talk shows. The bench also issued directives to the chief executive of DRAP to regulate the price of stent and take decisions over pending applications for the registration of stent. During the course of proceedings, Additional Attorney General for Pakistan (AAG) Waqar Rana submitted reports of secretary health and Federal Investigation Agency, saying under the provisions of the Drug Regulatory Act 1976, the stent falls in the category of drugs. Rana informed the court that a notification was issued on December 05, 2009 that stent has been considered as drug while after the cut-off date of August 31, 2010, the same cannot be sold without registration.
The court was informed that Medicine Importer Society had challenged the notification before Lahore High Court and adjudication has been pending so far. However, the Chief Justice remarked that proceedings of the matter in hand should not create panic, saying things should not be decided in haste, adding that the court is much interested to do the needful for the heart patients.
The AAG further said that there is no panic as supply of the stent is smooth in the market, adding that Punjab and Sindh governments have formed commission in this regard; however, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar observed that stent related issue should not be considered a regional issue.
Rana informed that as many as 55 to 60 registered companies are currently importing stents, saying there are 68 various sizes and three main categories of the stents. Bare metal, it is of two type stainless steel and chromium metal, second category of stent is drug eluted and third one is bio-observer.
The AAG added that Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA, has approved these stents, saying that there are some stents which are not registered with the DRAP. The Chief Justice said that there are good doctors who are like 'Messiah,' adding that the purpose of taking this suo motu notice is that the heart patients get right medication at affordable price. CEO DRAP, Dr Muhammad Aslam informed the bench that registration has been relaxed, adding out of 50 stents they have registered 13 while 37 would be registered till June.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar asked the CEO that the price and the import of stent are easy for those who can afford but what should be the price mechanism for those who can't afford this. AAG Rana apprised that there is no mechanism to determine the stent's price and which stent is suitable for the patient so far.
Justice Saqib said that at the time of heart surgery, the cardiologist has to decide promptly which stent be infused. The hearing of the matter was adjourned till February 06. Meanwhile, the bench also took up another matter of alleged corruption in supply of oxygen and nitrogen gas and theft of medicines from hospitals. The bench issued directives to the AAG to submit a detailed report on equipment, diagnostic facilities and other resources available in all public sector hospitals across the country in a month.
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