Winding up the discussion on the resolution, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said that the government supported the resolution and would ensure its implementation. He said that as far as implementation of laws relating to fake drug was concerned, it was a provincial subject and the provincial governments would have to take action against sale of spurious medicines.
Babar Awan said this was a serious issue, and requested the committees through the Parliament that all the pending legislation of public interest should be sent back to the house on priority, so that the legislation could be done. Minister for Interior Rehman Malik said that in a recent FIA raid, the authorities came to know that about 40 to 50 percent of all drugs being sold in the market were spurious.
The FIA, during these raids, seized a large quantity of substandard raw material being used for the manufacture of medicines. He said that there was need of stringent law for awarding exemplary punishment to those, who played with the lives of innocent people. The minister said that the he was directed by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to make an effective legislation to discourage business of spurious drugs and bring the culprits to book.
The chair observed to have better co-ordination at all levels, and said any member other than the committee members could also participate in the proceedings or give recommendations to evolve an effective legislation. Yasmeen Rehman, Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Fauzia Ejaz, Abdul Waseem, Dr Azra Fazal Pecheho, Barjees Tahir, Dr Donya Aziz and Marvi Memon, speaking on the resolution, said that the government should look into the matter and take effective steps for the provision of quality and cheap medicines to the masses.
They suggested that the life-saving medicines should be provided to the people on cheap rates, making sure their availability in the market. The National Assembly also adopted a resolution, recommending the government to make arrangements to support the destitute children and women in the country. Minister for Population Welfare Firdous Ashiq Awan, winding up the discussion on the resolution, said that the government was already implementing projects for the welfare of the women and the children.