The government has made a significant decision concerning life saving foreign medicines and has imposed specific conditions for importers.
According to sources, the government has decided to extend the import permissions for life-saving drugs. A new directive has been prepared to provide exemptions for these vital imported medicines, allowing a five year extension for their import. This decision has been taken in the public interest.
Sources further revealed that rare and life-saving medicines can now be imported under certain conditions. Exemptions will apply to the import of essential drugs used for the treatment of cancer, heart diseases, and other life threatening conditions. However, prior approval from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) will be mandatory for their import.
An SRO (Statutory Regulatory Order) has been issued under Section 36 of the Drugs Act 1976, enabling both government and private hospitals to import unregistered or unavailable medicines.
As per the SRO, hospitals will be allowed to use the imported foreign medicines strictly within their facilities for treatment purposes. These medicines cannot be sold or distributed in the open market. Additionally, their use in clinical trials, testing, or research will be prohibited.
Importers will be required to obtain a certificate from DRAP before customs clearance of the imported medicines. They must also maintain complete records of the usage of these drugs and will only be allowed to import medicines that are WHO qualified.
