Islamabad: The federal health minister on Monday sought to calm growing concerns over multinational pharmaceutical companies winding up operations in Pakistan, telling parliamentarians that the exits had not disrupted the supply of essential medicines and were part of broader global corporate restructuring rather than a local crisis.
Briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal said there was no shortage of life saving drugs, including insulin, and that alternative import arrangements were in place to ensure continuity for patients.
The meeting, chaired by Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, quickly moved beyond reassurances to questions about the quality and affordability of medicines reaching the public. Lawmakers pressed officials on the 30 percent discounted medicines supplied through parliamentarians’ dispensaries, asking whether lower prices were being achieved at the expense of efficacy or safety.
The chief executive of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan told the committee that laboratory sampling of discounted medicines from PIMS and the Polyclinic had been completed and the reports would be shared with members. The committee directed the regulator to ensure that procurement decisions balanced cost with quality and to revisit tendering processes where needed.
Officials also briefed lawmakers on plans to introduce a 2D barcode system for medicines, allowing patients and inspectors to verify products through QR scanning. The initiative, they said, was aimed at curbing counterfeit drugs and improving traceability in the supply chain.
Admissions to medical and dental colleges emerged as another major concern, with members and vice chancellors highlighting persistent problems linked to seat switching and the extended validity of the MDCAT exam. They said these issues were leaving seats vacant and wasting academic years, particularly in dental colleges.
The minister said amendments to PMDC bylaws were being proposed to address the three year validity period and to restrict seat switching so that admissions were drawn from the current examination cycle. Committee members asked the ministry to provide data on how many seats had remained vacant in recent years due to the current policy.
Dr Malani noted that the committee had already allowed time for consultations and now expected evidence based solutions rather than repeated explanations. He said permanent fixes would likely require legislative amendments and directed the ministry to consult the Ministry of Law and Justice, while also providing interim guidance for current year students within a week.
Provincial differences in admissions were also discussed, including Balochistan’s waiting list mechanism and Islamabad’s limited upgradation process for first year students. Officials further informed the committee that the government was moving to regulate admissions in foreign medical institutions, with only PMDC recognised and accredited colleges to be enlisted after detailed surveys.
On public health surveillance, lawmakers raised concerns about the ongoing HIV and AIDS survey after issues flagged by UNAIDS. The minister announced the formation of a technical working group to review kit availability and testing accuracy and to submit its findings to the committee.
Digital health reforms were also reviewed, including progress on the “One Patient, One ID” initiative at PIMS. Officials said only six of the 28 planned modules were currently operational, with further development underway by the National Information Technology Board. The minister said the system was part of a broader Universal Medical Record framework and that NADRA’s support had already been secured.
The committee also took up delays in the Pakistan Nursing Council Amendment Bill 2024. Members were told that provincial nominations had been completed but final notification was still pending, affecting institutional registrations. The chairman suggested approaching the Prime Minister’s Secretariat to expedite the process, while proposed amendments relating to parliamentary representation were referred to the Ministry of Law and Justice for legal opinion.
A candid exchange followed on the HPV vaccination campaign after concerns were raised over weak federal provincial coordination, limited involvement of tertiary hospitals and low uptake in private schools. The minister acknowledged early communication gaps, saying refusal rates had initially reached about 70 percent in some areas due to misinformation, but had improved after awareness drives and public endorsements.
Pending matters related to mental health practitioners, the Allied Health Professional Council, the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority and ultra processed food labelling were also reviewed, with officials directed to follow up urgently. Concerns over unlicensed hospitals operating in Islamabad prompted the chairman to say the regulatory authority would be called to the next meeting.
Ends