Answering questions during Question Hour in the Senate, the minister said it is fact that NAB has taken cognizance against officers and officials of Ministry of National regulations and Services Division regarding involvement in illegal increase in prices of drugs through Drugs Pricing Committee meeting and sub-committee meeting along with the directors of pharmaceutical companies.
The minister said during the course of investigation Director of R G Pharmaceutical being an accused person submitted a plea bargain application under section 25 of NAO 1999 for return of their total liability of Rs 385.12 million.
He said the plea bargain application of accused company was accepted by Chairman NAB and subsequently approved by Administrative Judge of Accountability Court. The accused person has also paid total liability.
Answering a question, Zahid Hamid said an interim reference has been filed with the Accountability Court against involved government officers and officials and Directors of beneficiary pharmaceutical company. This matter is under scrutiny with the Registrar Accountability Court and investigation is under process, he added.
The minister assured that action against accused persons would be taken in accordance with law as the matters of some accused persons are pending before the Sindh High Court.
The minister assured that culprits will be brought to book and expressed confidence that after this action the prices of respective medicines might have definitely gone down.