Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Chairman Dr Sheikh Akhtar Hussain has said the DRAP is restructuring its operation and transforming its regulations on modern scientific basis. The DRAP chairman revealed this while speaking at a meeting with the Lahore chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) office bearers here Tuesday.
Speaking on the occasion LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid demanded of the Authority to constitute a liaison committee comprising LCCI members and DRAP officials to deal with the issues relating to the pharma industry. In the backdrop of appreciating dollar, the industry particularly consuming imported raw material should be provided relief.
Though the Medical Device Rules-2017 has been simplified yet the businesses dealing in medical devices are facing hardships, he said and stressed the need for their removal. Our members believe that DRAP Act 2012 and SRO 412 have many ambiguities which should be addressed on priority basis, he said.
Furthermore, DRAP needs to ensure clarity in implementations of rules and procedures with regional offices as well. There are still some bottlenecks in the registration of veterinary medicines/vaccines, he said. He pointed out that the DRAP officials raise objections in piecemeal fashion on all the applications submitted by such companies that deal in nutritional products. All objections should be raised at one time so as enable the applicants to remove them, he added. The LCCI chief also emphasized that there must be a stipulated time period for issuance of Form-6 after completion of the formalities.