Advisor on Health Kh. Salman Rafique has said that the heinous trade of spurious and substandard medicines will be eliminated at all costs. He said that a decision has been taken to launch crackdown at divisional and district level for eliminating spurious medicines for which Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has constituted two taskforces in the province. Kh. Salman Rafique further said that action will be taken against the owners of unit manufacturing fake medicines and big fish will be taken to task.
He said this while presiding over a meeting of joint taskforce constituted for eradication of spurious and substandard medicines at Civil Secretariat, today. Vice Chairman for Taskforce on Eradication of Fake Drugs (Central Punjab) Kh. Imran Nazir, Vice Chairman for Taskforce on Eradication of Fake Drugs Qazi Adnan Farid, Additional Chief Secretary Punjab Syed Mubashar Raza, senior police officers, Secretary Prosecution, DG Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, all divisional commissioner and RPOs attended the meeting through video link. The meeting appreciated professional skill of SHO of concerned police station for recovering a big consignment of fake drugs in Sahiwal and taking action against the accused. Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik said that Chief Minister Punjab is the Chairman of Taskforce who will review the performance of both taskforces and the steps taken by commissioners, DCOs and RPOs by convening meeting every month. He said that punishments should be awarded to owner of manufacturing unit and distributors involved in selling of fake medicines.
Kh. Salman Rafique directed police officials to immediately register FIR against the persons arrested during the raid of taskforces and all characters involved in this heinous business should be exposed. He warned that strict action will be taken against drug inspector or official of health department found involved in protecting this business.
Additional Chief Secretary Syed Mubashar Raza said that field administration will work under both taskforces and police officers and district administration will extend complete cooperation during the raid. He directed that a senior police officer should be appointed focal person for taskforce on eradication of fake medicines at district level so that police help could be sought through concerned officer. He directed that police officials should immediately register FIR against the persons involved in the business of fake and substandard medicines and submit foolproof challan so that strict action could be taken against the accused under the law. Kh. Imran Nazir said that amendments in Drugs Act are essential for eliminating business of spurious drugs so that deterrent punishment could be awarded to those playing with the lives of innocent people. Kh. Salman Rafique said that no leniency will be shown to those involved in the heinous business of spurious drugs.
All divisional commissioners told that they have already started operation against those involved in manufacturing, sell and purchase of fake medicines in their respective districts. However, after the setting up of taskforces, operation will be further accelerated and district administration and police will extend complete cooperation in this regard, they added.
