DRAP revamping need of hour

LAHORE: Punjab government is encouraging promotion of local pharma, derma and electro-medical industries. Stability of local pharma industry will create thousands of job opportunities. Medical Device Regulation (MDR) applies to a wide range of medical devices, including newly-covered devices that do not have a medical purpose, such as coloured contact lenses and cosmetic implant devices and materials”.

These views were expressed by the experts during a seminar titled “Registration and Listing of Electro-medical Devices under MDR 2017”.The participants of the seminar were informed European Union Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR) classifies medical devices into Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D. The classification is based on potential risk of harm to users.

The seminar was jointly organised by Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society (Jang Group of Newspapers), Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Pakistan Electro-medical Equipment Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PEMDA). Provincial Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir chaired the seminar, while the guest of honor was Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) CEO Dr Asim Rauf. Opening remarks were given by PEMDA’s Patron-in-Chief Qasim Ali. The guest of honour was LCCI President Mian Abu Zar Shad.

The speakers included PEMDA Chairman Babar Kayani, PPRA MD Waqar Azeem, PEMDA EC Member Dr Mumtaz Masood and PEMDA Vice Chairman Shaukat Ali. Vote of thanks was delivered by PEMDA Senior Vice Chairman Mian Tahir Rasheed, while the event was hosted and moderated by Wasif Nagi.

Provincial Minister for Health Khawaja Imran Nazir said Punjab government is encouraging promotion of local pharma, derma and electro-medical industries. The stability of local pharma industry will create thousands of job opportunities, he predicted.

He said the prime minister has set an export target of $60 billion, which will positively impact the economy. Local products must be adopted and respected, he insisted. He stressed the need to revamp DRAP and enhance its capacity. The local pharma industry should fully cooperate with the government in curbing illegal drugs and smuggling, he suggested.

Dr Asim Rauf said Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry has made significant progress during 2024 with a notable increase in the exports. The local production of diagnostic devices has started, a step towards industrial strength and self-reliance, he added.

“DRAP has also taken several important measures, including registering an internationally standard ventilator. It launched a website for public convenience, where citizens can lodge their complaints”, he said.

Abu Zar Shad said DRAP is crucial in maintaining quality and balancing the prices of medicines, medical and electro-medical devices, and all healthcare products in the country. “LCCI has always tried to convince DRAP’s management to consider various aspects during implementation of laws, including fluctuation in device dollar rates, import prices of raw materials for medicine production and necessary documentation requirements by DRAP”, he said.

Babar Kayani mentioned many agreements are one-sided, ignoring interests of the businesspeople. “If there is a delay from the government’s side, no penalty is imposed, which is unfair”, he said. He suggested agreements should be drafted in a way that protects interests of both government and businesspeople equally.

Waqar Azeem, MD Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), said the Authority is an impartial institution promoting fair relations between government and the businesspeople. “A modern App has been introduced to ensure transparent bidding process”, he informed.

He emphasised the need to address issues and red-flags in the procurement sector and proposed guiding sessions and orientation programmes to better understand the legal framework. —