The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) has decided to launch new software to control counterfeit and spurious drugs from entering the markets. According to details, Pakistan would be the only country in Asia to have introduced this new software, 'D-Drug Software".
The software would control the spurious drugs entering the markets while the culprits involved in the criminal activity would be identified and punished as per law. With the help of this software, information about expired drugs could be obtained. Health, Education & CSR sub committee of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in its report quoted Drap as saying that each and every tablet, capsule and injection of a drug would be traceable in any part of the country with the help of this software while substandard drugs declared by the laboratories could be stopped from dispensing right away. The new drug regulatory authority has been established with a view to reduce the now-rampant trade of counterfeit and substandard medicines. The Drap has been established to ensure effective co-ordination and enforcement of drug Act 1976 and to bring harmony in inter-provincial trade and commerce of drugs and therapeutic goods. The authority will regulate the manufacturer, import, export, storage, distribution and sale of therapeutic goods.