ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Senate was informed on Friday that the federal government would appoint 21 new federal drugs inspectors to have proper check on the quality of medicines.
Replying to a question during question hour in the Upper House of the Parliament, the Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Muhammad Baligh-Ur-Rehman said that at presently 15 federal inspectors of drugs were working at the disposal of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
The minister said that federal inspectors of drugs were appointed as per procedure laid down under Section 17 of the Drugs Act 1976. He said that the federal inspector of nine dugs were highly qualified persons having degree in pharmacy and experience not less than 10 years in the manufacturing, testing, analysis or in drug administration.
Baligh said that the Federal government and DRAP is competent authority for the appointment and selection of the inspectors after fulfilment of legal requirements.
Recently recruitment has been conducted through fair and transparent method where the NTS examination has been conducted to select the top five candidates whom were called for interview by the selection committee appointed by the Policy Board for final selection.
Baligh-Ur-Rehman said that the Division of Quality Assurance and Laboratory Testing monitors the performance of these inspectors. The Federal Inspector of Drugs submits their monthly progress activity reports to Director Quality Assurance and Laboratory Testing, where these reports are evaluated to monitor the activity of the Federal Inspector of Drugs and accordingly actions are taken.
The minister added in addition the Quality Assurance and Laboratory Testing Division conducted audit of the inspection reports of the Federal Inspector of Drugs. The inspection reports are evaluated by the Quality Assurance and Laboratory Testing Division and are sent to the Licensing Authority for the approval of further necessary action under the Drugs Act 1976.
The l minister said that the Federal Inspector of Drugs are well-versed with their duties and Drugs Act 1976. Moreover for continuous education, learning and capacity building various training seminars are conducted to upgrade their knowledge, expertise and implementation.
They are nominated for international and local training workshops arranged jointly by DRAP, World Health Organization (WHO) and other international agencies. They are also nominated to participate in regional meetings organized by WHO for a good technical exposure, he added.
In addition they are exposed to international practices in various countries through the inspections of overseas plants, he added.
