Zafar Mirza takes notice of life-saving medications’ shortage

ISLAMABAD: On Monday, Dr. Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for National Health Services, took notice of the shortage of life-saving drugs in the market and ordered the Pakistan Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) to ensure the supply of medicines.

The Prime Minister’s advisor said he had received information about life-saving medication shortage and has taken immediate action to resolve any such crisis. “I have instructed the DRAP task force, members of the authorities and representatives of the healthcare industry, to look into the matter and submit a complete report in this regard,” he added.

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Mirza said the DRAP has convinced him that steps have been taken to ensure 20 key life-saving drugs are commercially available in the market.

On January 01, Zafar Mirza officially confirmed that Pakistan’s 2020 medical care targets have been set including polio eradication, disposal syringes and issuance of the health card.

In his statement to the media, Dr. Zafar Mirza said the nation faced a downturn in the social sectors due to the economic crisis in 2019, while the federal government paid full attention to its plan of health care.

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Zafar Mirza further said that the government not only provided Sehat Insaf cards for health insurance but also extended its range to other parts of the country by extending it to all underprivileged families by December 2019.