PESHAWAR: The district administration raided Peshawar’s Sethi Town and seized a huge cache of medicines provided by the government, allegedly stored and repacked for illegal sale. Two persons were arrested on the spot.
The raid was conducted by the Assistant Commissioner (City) and a Health Department drug inspector upon receipt of information regarding the production of illicit and counterfeit drugs in an unauthorized residence.
During the raid, government officials found a large stock of medicines for use in government hospitals, which were allegedly stockpiled and set to be sold illegally in the market. The house was sealed and the drugs recovered were confiscated as evidence.
Legal action has been taken against the suspects arrested, officials confirmed.
Deputy Commissioner Peshawar, Captain (R) Sanaullah Khan, elaborated that zero tolerance is the district administration’s approach towards illegal production, hoarding, and trade of fake or poor-quality medicines.
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He warned that “illegal Health risking the public is tough luck for them,” and he urged the people to notify the authorities or the health department about any sales of counterfeit or substandard medicines so as to prevent them from taking place by executing prompt action.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa govt approves landmark pharmacy services policy
Earlier on 3 October, 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.
