DRAP unveils a new portal to streamline the process of importing medicines.

DRAP unveils a new portal to streamline the process of importing medicines.

ISLAMABAD: Patients who rely on imported medicines have received significant relief as the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) unveils a new portal to guide them, ARY News reports.

According to reports, DRAP has launched a specialized portal offering information on imported medicines and medical devices. The portal, accessible via the DRAP website, is designed to streamline the importation process for hospitals and patients.

Sources from DRAP revealed that the portal link has been shared with provincial governments, allowing hospitals and patients to independently import critical medicines and medical devices. This initiative operates under the Medical Device Rules of 2017, ensuring legal compliance and regulatory procedures.

The portal provides step-by-step instructions to individuals and institutions for importing medicines and medical devices. Once approved by DRAP, hospitals and patients will be able to legally import the necessary products.

This move is aimed at reducing the use of smuggled and illegally imported medicines and medical devices, which often lack verified quality and efficacy.

Recently, counterfeit shipments of Avastin injections were seized across multiple cities, with Roche Pakistan confirming the batches as counterfeit. Every year, millions of dollars’ worth of smuggled surgical instruments and medicines for liver, heart, kidney, and cancer treatments are trafficked into Pakistan.

The initiative intends to tackle these issues by promoting legal imports and ensuring the availability of genuine medical products. On December 3, 2024, DRAP also imposed a ban on eight batches of counterfeit and substandard medicines used for diabetes and life-saving treatments due to concerns about their quality, efficacy, and potential risks to patient care.

Reports indicate that DRAP carried out operations in Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, identifying and seizing counterfeit and substandard medicines.

The Central Drug Testing Lab in Karachi declared these eight batches as substandard. The banned batches include: Amplemet XR (Batch 39224) for diabetes, Esanix (Batch IA702) antibiotic injection, Zesol Drip (Batch 2408207), sterile water for injection (Batch WI893), Flagenis Suspension (Batch 0362) for bacterial infections, Desora Syrup (Batch S23236) for allergies, and Cyanoco Infusion (Batch 6609) and Cyanoco Super (Batch 6403) for vitamin B12 injections.

These medicines were produced by companies in Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Haripur. Investigations revealed that the drugs lacked clear efficacy and posed a risk to patient treatment.

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