"NRS has nothing to do with the quota allocation and the Ministry's role is only limited to formulating rules and regulations for the pharmaceutical industry. As far as quota allocation is concerned, now it's the mandate of the narcotics division," she added. Dr Awan elaborated the role and functions of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). Secretary NRS division Imtiaz Inayat Elahi, Administrator National Council for Tibb (NCT) Hakeem Rizwam Hafeez Malik, acting CEO of DRAP and other officials of NRS Ministry were also present on the occasion.
She elaborated the overall position and mandate of DRAP, and said that it has no role in the allocation of drug quota. "DRAP is just like a post office that supplies basic information and forwards the allocations requests to Anti Narcotic Force (ANF)," she added. The quota is finalized by the allocation committee. Director General ANF is also the Director General of this committee. Neither Narcotics Minister nor Minister for National Regulations & Services is a member of the committee, she clarified.
The Minister emphasised that after promulgation of Drug Regulatory Authority Act, government is committed to provide safe, efficacious and quality medicine at affordable price to ailing humanity. In DRAP alternative medicine, medical devices, medicated cosmetics and other legal and regulatory affairs are addressed to meet international standards.