Pursuant to directions of the Chief Minister Punjab, health authorities in the province have launched crackdown on the substandard and spurious drug dealers and quacks. The drug courts imposed fine worth Rs 43.25 million and awarded imprisonment ranging from 15 days to 5 years in various cases, said Additional Secretary Health (Technical) Dr Mushtaq Ahmad.
Giving details of the measures taken by the health department to check the business of substandard and spurious drugs, he said that during the last year Drug Inspectors sealed 3020 clinics of quacks and prosecuted them in Drug Courts. Similarly, 64610 drug outlets were inspected, 6986 cases of violation of various provisions of drug laws were identified and legal proceedings were initiated against those involved in contravention of Rules.
Dr Ahmed further said that 34098 samples of drugs were taken for test out of which 122 were declared spurious and 423 were declared substandard by the Drugs Testing Laboratories (DTLs). In the light of reports of DTLs, FIRs were registered against 121 culprits involved in this heinous crime. Action was also taken under section 24 of the Drugs Act 1976 against 124 quacks, hakims and homeopathic doctors for their advertisements.
He said that health department has also established Drugs Testing Laboratories at Multan for quick test/analysis of the samples sent by the drug inspectors. Further, Provincial Quality Control Monitoring Committee has also been notified to regularly review the quality control situation.
He said that Provincial Quality Control Board has also been directed to dispose of the cases of spurious drugs on priority basis in their regular monthly meetings. He further said that three Task Force constituted by the chief minister were working effectively and crackdown on the elements involved in the illegal business of spurious drugs is continued throughout the province. He assured that the government would take all necessary measures for the provision of quality medicines to public.