In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 497 drug samples have been declared substandard, while 226 samples were found to be counterfeit.
According to a report by the Directorate General of Drug Control and Pharmacy Services, 225 medicines in the province were found to be unregistered, while 160 medicines were misbranded. The substandard medicines include drugs for bacterial infections, viral infections, hormonal treatments, painkillers, and fever medicines.
Due to violations of laws, 66 medicines were seized, while 162 medical stores were sealed.
The report said that 16,185 medical stores and distributors were inspected across the province, during which 2,208 actions were taken. During this process, 12,292 samples of medicines and medical devices were collected for analysis.
According to the health department’s report, more than 2,000 cases and 51 FIRs were registered, while 2,447 cases were referred to the Provincial Quality Control Board. In addition, 637 cases were tried in the Drug Court.
The report stated that the Drug Court disposed of 377 cases and imposed fines exceeding Rs12.8 million.
Chief Drug Inspector Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dr Abbas Khan said that the Directorate General of Drug Control and Pharmacy Services has adopted an integrated strategy and implemented a systematic check and balance mechanism at various stages.
According to him, this check and balance system has helped in reaching several important cases.
