ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Health Ministry has written a letter to Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP), requesting for special audit of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) for the fiscal year 2012-2013 to 2017-2018.
The letter was written on the direction of Federal Minister for National Health Services Aamer Mehmood Kiani.
According to letter, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan was established through DRAP Act promulgated on November 13, 2012.
The authority is mandated to regulate allopathic, homoeopathic, unani and herbal drugs, medical devices, medicated cosmetics etc. In view of its role that has a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of the people, the authority remains a subject of public scrutiny.
وفاقی وزیر صحت @Aamer_KianiPTI کا ڈرگ ریگولیٹری اتھارٹی کا قیمتوں کے حوالے سے سپشل آڈٹ کرانے کاحکم جاری.
عامر کیانی کی ہدایت پر وزارت قومی صحت کا آڈیٹر جنرل آف پاکستان کو خط
مراسلےمیی آڈیٹر جنرل سے درخواست کی ہے ڈریپ کا 2013 سے 2018 تک قیمتوں کے حوالے سے سپیشل آڈٹ کیا جائے. pic.twitter.com/KQzb7jyVOa— Ministry of National Health Services (@MNHS_PK) April 13, 2019
The DRAP receives continued media attention alleging irregularities and malpractices regarding diverse areas being dealt by the authority as per its mandate. It goes without saying that transparency and efficiency in functioning of the organization is of critical importance to meet the targets and ensure sustained availability of quality medicines to the masses.
In view of the foregoing, to further instill public confidence in the authority, it is requested to conduct a special audit of DRAP for the period 2012-2013 to date of the pricing mechanism to ascertain whether prices of drugs are determined justly, in accordance with the laid down policy and as per law.