The 'Network for Consumer Protection' has rejected the proposal to constitute 'Drug Regulatory Authority' (DRA) for surveillance over sale, manufacturing and registration of spurious and substandard medicines in the country, saying that this would further deteriorate the situation and would privatise the 'pharmaceutical regulations'.
The Executive Co-ordinator of the 'Network', an Islamabad based advocacy group working in public health and consumer protection for the last 14 years, Ayaz Kiani, addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, said: "A detailed study of the draft of the proposed body shows that the new 'authority' is being devised on the lines that would result in further mess up in the terms of further price hike in the chaotic pharmaceutical sector."
He said that the framework of the proposed body invites more intervention from industry and less regulation from the state. Tauqir Mustafa, Pharmaceutical Co-ordinator of the group, was also present on the occasion. Kiani said that the civil society sees this new 'authority' as an eyewash and an attempt to divert the attention of the people from real health issues.
"There is nothing new in the proposed 'authority' and instead of providing any measures to improve regulations it seems to serve the interests of pharmaceutical industry at the cost of public," he added.
He observed that the government wants to register some activism in health sector in the context of Supreme Court's suo motu action on spurious drugs and the growing awareness among masses about the dismal picture in the pharma sector, and the DRA rhetoric provides enough space to trumpet the steps.
The Drug Control Organisation, which is being replaced by the proposed 'authority' could have been used effectively if the rules and provisions provided in the Drug Act 1976 were implemented in letter and spirit.
He said that a cursory survey of the draft available on the Ministry of Health website shows that it does not offer substantial changes in the existing situation on which the apex court has shown much concern.
The proposed law is flawed and does not fulfil the promises made to the court. "It appears that the changes are aimed at some convenient administrative reshuffling and will, at best, bring some superficial and cosmetic changes," he added.
Tariq Mustafa said that the government, through this 'authority' is deliberately loosening its grip on regulation and this crucial part, which can guarantee the quality of pharma products and services, is being given in the hands of industry, whom this 'authority' is supposed to control.
"The government steps to introduce a new regulatory authority," he said, "does not make sense when a good law--Drug Act 1976--is already there. What the Ministry of Health needs is to implement this Act, portions of which were never implemented, rather than making another parallel body."
He said that the health sector should not have been dealt with like telecom sector where the consumers' grievances are shown to be addressed through claims and farce hearings. In health, he added, the consumer interest should be given top priority. Given its importance, no room should be provided to powerful industry players to enhance their influence in decision making.