ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to submit a detailed report addressing the availability of pneumonia and hepatitis drugs. The directive came during the hearing of a case concerning the alleged shortage of critical medicines.
Presiding over the proceedings, a five-member constitutional bench led by Justice Aminuddin Khan instructed DRAP to clarify in its submission whether the ongoing issue of medicine shortages has been resolved. "Once the DRAP report is submitted, we will determine the course of action," remarked the bench during the hearing.
Judicial Assistant Faisal Siddiqui informed the court that, in his opinion, the shortage of medicines may no longer be a pressing concern. However, the bench insisted on a thorough investigation and factual reporting to ensure transparency and accountability.
Additionally, the bench sought written responses from the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and provincial governments regarding a separate petition addressing the alarming issue of drug sales within educational institutions. The court emphasized the urgency of addressing these critical public health and safety matters.
The directives underline the Supreme Court’s commitment to resolving pressing healthcare challenges and curbing the illegal drug trade. This case reflects the broader concerns over regulatory lapses and the need for stringent oversight in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical and educational sectors.
The next hearing will depend on the submission of the requested reports, which are expected to provide a roadmap for resolving these critical issues.