PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has approved a landmark ‘Pharmacy Services Policy’, a historic step towards the provision of quality, effective and affordable medicines in the province.
In its 39th cabinet meeting, the provincial cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, approved the policy, which has been prepared under the vision of “Quality Medicines for All”. This is the first policy of its kind in the country.
The implementation of this policy will enable the provision of safe and quality medicines in the province, which is expected to result in a reduction in the cost of treatment of patients, a shorter stay in hospitals, and a reduction in the mortality rate.
The socio-economic impact of the policy will significantly reduce the overall burden on public health and reduce the pressure on the province’s health budget. The policy will help in preventing antibiotic resistance. Millions of people lose their lives worldwide due to increasing resistance to antibiotics.
This policy will establish pharmacovigilance centres to ensure safe use of medicines and protect patients from adverse drug reactions. With this, timely reporting of adverse drug reactions will be possible and authentic data will be collected.
A Drug Information and Poison Control Centre will be established. This centre will provide authentic information about medicines at home and will also act as an emergency response. The services of pharmacists will be utilised in hospitals.
Under the policy, drug control will also be organised and strengthened so that fake and substandard medicines can be eradicated within the province, and quality medicines will be available. Necessary manpower and resources will be provided to the drug control within the province.
Drug testing laboratories will be harmonised according to international standard principles to develop the analysis and testing of medicines on modern lines.
Read also: Punjab owes KP Rs64 billion in water dues, pay immediately: Muzzammil Aslam
Along with the establishment of divisional drug testing laboratories, testing protocols will also be upgraded. According to health department officials, the implementation of the policy will enable the provision of quality treatment to patients, reduce antibiotic resistance, prevent misuse of medicines and increase transparency and trust in the public health system. This is a significant achievement of the provincial government in the interest of patients.
