Pakistan’s Drugs Research Trails Behind Regional Peers, Senate Told

APP

Islamabad: The Senate was informed on Friday that Pakistan has the lowest level of research in medicine and drug development, while neighboring countries are heavily investing in cutting-edge research, particularly in developing drugs from local salts and innovating pharmaceutical products.

In a supplementary query regarding the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan’s (DRAP) Central Research Fund (CRF), Senator Anousha Rehman sought details on DRAP’s allocation and expenditure, and inquired about the mechanisms for double-checking DRAP’s inquiry and investigation procedures.

Senator Danesh Kumar added that Rs1.5 billion had been allocated to DRAP in the past three years, with the CRF also amounting to Rs1.5 billion.

Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar informed the Senate that significant changes were being made in DRAP’s drug pricing and regulatory framework.

He further stated, “If any official inquiry has unfairly targeted any party, I will address the issue with Coordinator Health Dr Mukhtar Bharat, who is making considerable efforts in the health sector to investigate the matter.”

Tarar explained that, according to the 1976 allocation rules, 1 percent of total transactions in various pharmaceutical companies is allocated for research. He noted that DRAP had received no new research proposals, but assured the Senate that the funds would not be wasted and would accumulate in the CRF, along with any bank interest.

He also emphasized that research in the medicine and health sectors in Pakistan is minimal, while regional countries are advancing by developing medicines from their salts.