Azad Kashmir’s Health Department has reviewed the issuance and renewal of drug sale licences and decided to tighten monitoring of pharmacies across the region, with action against substandard and unregistered medicines.
An important meeting on the issuance and renewal of drug sale licences was held at the Health Secretariat in Muzaffarabad, chaired by Secretary Public Health Brigadier Dr Tashfeen bin Nazir. Chief Drug Controller Ms Fauzia Ashraf and other relevant officials attended the meeting, where steps to protect medicine quality and public health were discussed.
The meeting noted that the drug section’s work covers both the renewal of existing licences and the issue of new ones, and that a clear licensing process is a central part of keeping medicines safe for the public. During the meeting, about 500 drug sale licences were renewed and new licences were issued. Officials also discussed the performance of the drug section, the licensing procedure, the administrative and practical difficulties it faces, and ways to make the drug regulatory system in Azad Kashmir more effective.
Transparency and monitoring directed
Secretary Public Health Brigadier Dr Tashfeen bin Nazir issued directions to improve the performance of the drug section, bring transparency to the licensing process, ensure effective monitoring of pharmacies and prevent substandard and unregistered medicines. He also expressed the resolve to solve the problems facing the drug section, increase institutional capacity and bring the drug regulatory system in line with modern requirements.
Chief Drug Controller Ms Fauzia Ashraf briefed the meeting on the drug section’s performance and the challenges it faces, and reaffirmed her commitment to monitoring the quality of medicines and ensuring effective implementation of drug laws. Officials said the discussion covered the practical difficulties in licensing and regulation, and the need for a stronger system that can check the quality of medicines sold to the public.
The Health Department said it is working to ensure the supply of safe, quality and authentic medicines to the public in Azad Kashmir and to further strengthen the drug regulatory system. Officials said the steps discussed at the meeting are aimed at protecting public health and ensuring that only genuine medicines reach patients, with pharmacies kept under effective supervision.
