ISLAMABAD Different kinds of necessary medications are available in Pakistan, according to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) on Thursday. However, there are occasionally "pockets of shortages" because of supply chain disruptions, logistics issues, and supply and demand factors.

According to a report by Drap's Committee for Availability of Life-Saving Drugs (CALSD), pharmaceutical companies and the market offer important medications such as insulin and various inhaler kinds. Drap is still collaborating closely with importers and producers to lessen and avoid shortages. Chief Executive Officer of Drap, Asim Rauf

Asim Rauf addressed the issue of certain critical medications not being available in certain regions of the nation, stating that CALSD keeps a close eye on the vital medication supply chain and works with importers and producers to ensure a steady and sufficient supply of medications for the market.

Actually, the availability of medications in Pakistan is being negatively impacted by supply chain interruptions following the Covid epidemic and international corporate choices about acquisitions, mergers, etc. But Drap aims to shorten the duration of the shortage and eventually prevent it through a proactive approach and use of all tools, including regulatory flexibilities, while adhering to the sacred responsibility of ensuring safe, efficacious, quality, and affordable therapeutic goods to the people of Pakistan," Asim Rauf continued.

He insisted that the dynamic process of a drug shortage includes disruptions to the global supply chain, quality issues, cost increases, legal actions, discontinuation, and quota allocation. He also mentioned that CALSD regularly surveys the market to guarantee that necessary medications and products are always accessible.

In addition, he stated that Drap has suggested a number of measures to guarantee the market's supply of life-saving medications. "Various regulatory tools are being adopted to monitor or mitigate the drug shortages," he said, citing the establishment of a toll-free helpline, online issuance of NOCs for import of personal use medicines, and provision of import by public/private hospitals for those medicines which are not registered or available in the market.

He shared the current status of the nation's supply of insulin and inhalers, pointing out that some well-known pharmaceutical companies have gone so far as to publicize their helplines for patients' convenience and encourage them to contact them directly if they are unable to obtain the necessary medications from pharmacies.