In a decisive move to safeguard public health, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a major crackdown against illegal pharmacies and counterfeit drugs across the province.
Minister Orders Immediate Province-Wide Action
Health Minister Khaliq-ur-Rehman chaired a high-level meeting on Monday in the Health Department's Committee Room, issuing strict directives for immediate legal action. The meeting, attended by the Secretary Health and senior officials from the Directorate General of Drug Control & Pharmacy Services, resulted in a clear mandate: a sweeping enforcement campaign against all unlicensed medical stores and substandard or falsified (SF) medicines must begin at once.
Strict Compliance and Daily Reporting Mandated
The minister instructed all drug inspectors and field officers to ramp up their efforts. They are to conduct intensive advocacy and awareness drives with chemists and druggists, working through their respective unions and associations to ensure full adherence to drug laws and regulations.
To guarantee transparency and accountability, Minister Khaliq-ur-Rehman ordered that all enforcement activities be reported daily. These Daily Activity Reports must include pictorial evidence and will be compiled formally. The Health Minister and the Secretary Health will personally review these reports on a fortnightly basis to monitor progress.
Zero-Tolerance on Medicine Quality and Safety
Reaffirming the government's firm stance, the minister declared a zero-tolerance policy towards compromised drug quality. "No compromise will be made on the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines," he stated, emphasizing that protecting public health remains the top priority of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. This crackdown is part of a broader effort to restore integrity to the province's pharmaceutical supply chain.
The provincial government has also approved a Rs40 plan aimed at restoring the Sehat Sahulat health coverage program, indicating a parallel focus on improving healthcare access alongside ensuring medicine quality.
