Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday said the government was determined to ensure easy availability of life saving drugs along with other essential medicines at affordable prices because it attached high priority to the life of its people.
The prime minister was chairing a meeting over the availability of necessary drugs in the country, and the role, functions and responsibility of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to determine suitable prices, PM office media wing in a press release said.
The prime minister was given a detailed briefing over the availability of essential medicines especially of life saving drugs and the price mechanism etc.
The meeting also discussed in detail the steps over performance of DRAP, measures aimed at making it more efficient, eradication of corruption and other malpractices.
The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the PM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Javed Khan, Secretary National Health Services and Regulations, CEO DRAP Asim Rauf and other senior officials.
The prime minister also underlined the main role of DRAP as the regulator of medicines.
The prime minister said efforts for making DRAP further efficient should be expedited while the manpower requirement of the authority at the administrative level be addressed on priority basis.
With regard to enhancing the efficiency of DRAP and elimination of corruption, the prime minister said the government had a very clear stance over the framing of policies and their implementation.
He observed that there was a difference between the concerned sections over policy making process and its implementation and their merger gave rise to different issues.
The prime minister also directed for taking necessary steps for separation of both sections of the authority.
The meeting also considered issues pertaining to Pakistan Medical and Dental Council.
The prime minister directed that under the courts decisions, all the required steps should be completed on priority basis so that the doctors and other people associated with this sector should not face any difficulty.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday was apprised about the arrangements and measures put in place to control the spread of coronavirus (COVID 19).
The prime minister was given a detailed briefing over certain steps regarding the arrival of Zaireen, their screening, lodging and catering facilities etc, PM office media wing in a press release said.
The prime minister also visited quarantine center and inquired after the health of Zaireen.
On the occasion, the Zaireen expressed their pleasure over the arrival of prime minister and satisfaction on the provision of facilities.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has arrived in Dera Ghazi Khan to review arrangements at quarantine centre made for pilgrims who arrived from Taftan, media reported on Wednesday.
The prime minister is accompanied by Special Assistant to PM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, Shehbaz Gill, and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Muhammad Afzal.
On the occasion, PM Khan was briefed about the steps taken by Punjab government against coronavirus. The premier also reviewed arrangements for the coronavirus affectees at DG Khan quarantine centre.
It must be noted that around 1026 suspected patients have been kept in quarantine at a university in Dera Ghazi Khan.
Punjab govt on Wednesday introduced online healthcare service across the province to deal with the novel coronavirus patients as a social distancing measure.
According to reports, there are 26 confirmed COVID-19 patients in the province and 249 in the country.
Addressing the nation on Tuesday night, PM Imran said that the government was making all-out efforts to deal with the deadly virus. He urged all segments of the society to come forward and play their role in containing the spread of novel coronavirus.
PM Imran Khan warned the hoarders and profiteers of stern action.
He maintained that the virus could spread and urged the masses to adopt proper preventive measures to protect themselves from the deadly virus.
PM Imran Khan advised the people to refrain from panicking, avoid gatherings of more than 40 people, handshaking, wash hands with soaps frequently and use masks while travelling.
