Drug Regulatory Agency of Pakistan (DRAP) decides to establish a committee to resolve the long-outstanding issues of the pharmaceutical sector like huge increase in fee on services offered by DRAP, large number of pending registration applications and finalisation of contract manufacturing policy.
The Federal Minister for National Regulations and Services, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, during a meeting with Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) announced that all pending issues related to drugs registration and licensing would be taken up forthwith in consultation with PPMA.
A committee will be constituted, consisting two members of PPMA and two members of the Ministry that would present recommendations after consultations with the stakeholders to address the upward revision of fees on services offered by DRAP while the committee will also be tasked to pave way for quick disposal of more than 14,000 pending registration applications.
During the meeting, it was decided to extend the permission for contract manufacturing till December 31, 2012. The DRAP has already initiated the process to chalk out a long-term contract policy to facilitate the industry. According to Vice Chairman PPMA, Nasir Qureshi, the next meeting between the Federal Minister and the PPMA representatives would be held in the last week of October.-PR