Caretaker Ministers met with delegation of PPMA  

LAHORE:  Caretakers Ministers for Health Dr Javed Akram and Dr Jamal Nasir met with the delegation of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association in the Department of Specialised Health Care and Medical Education.  

Punjab Health Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi and Special Secretary Syed Wajid Ali Shah were also present on this occasion. Officials of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association and Pharma Bureau participated in the meeting.   

During the meeting, the caretaker provincial health ministers, Dr. Javed Akram and Dr. Jamal Nasir, discussed the steps taken to supply medicines to the government hospitals of Punjab. During the meeting, the officials of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association informed the caretaker provincial health ministers of Punjab about their concerns and submitted a report. 

 Caretaker Provincial Minister of Department of Specialized Health Care and Medical Education, Dr Javed Akram said on this occasion that there is no shortage of medicines in any government hospital of Punjab. Medicines are available in sufficient amount for the patients coming to the government hospitals of Punjab. The reports and recommendations of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association will be placed before the Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi. The government and Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association are on the same page regarding uninterrupted supply of medicines to government hospitals of Punjab. The government will accept all legitimate demands of PPMA. We are making an agreement with Bank of Punjab to open LC of medicines. Today we are coming together for the convenience of patients coming to government hospitals. To solve the problems of pharmaceutical companies on a priority basis, a focal person has been appointed by the Department of Specialized Health Care and Medical Education. We stand with the pharmaceutical companies in difficult times.  

Caretaker Provincial Minister Jamal Nasir said on this occasion that today we have come together for the sake of providing convenience to the patients in the public hospitals of Punjab. We will not allow the self-respect of any pharmaceutical company in Punjab to be damaged. Our life is Pakistan, so our services are available for the nation.   

Secretary Health Punjab, Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi, while expressing his views, said that the supply of medicines in the public hospitals of Punjab is being regularly monitored. A meeting will be called every week to ensure the continuous supply of medicines in the public hospitals of Punjab.  The requests of the companies will be processed immediately.  The delegation of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association said that they are thankful to the two caretaker provincial health ministers of Punjab, Dr. Javed Akram and Dr. Jamal Nasir, for bringing us together on an important issue. We will extend full cooperation for uninterrupted supply of medicines in public hospitals of Punjab.