ISLAMABAD: A bill calling for increased punishments for those involved in the manufacturing and sale of spurious drugs was disposed off because the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) had suggested addressing the issue by amending the rules, said Drap Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohammad Aslam.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services (NHS) had last week disposed of The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2016 which also suggested that once convicted of any of the of fences under the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan Act 2012, the licence of a manufacturer will be cancelled and any such person will not be allowed to establish a drug business.

The report submitted by Standing Committee on NHS Chairman Khalid Hussein Magsi simply says the matter has been disposed off.

However, Mr Aslam told Dawn it was decided that the matter will be addressed by amending the rules and not via legislation.

Therefore, the contents of the bill, which was tabled by nine MQM MNAs, will be implemented through the amendments of rules.

The bill had suggested that the offence of manufacturing and sale of spurious drugs be declared non-bailable and that the issue of complaints against drug inspectors and allegations of them conniving with drug dealers be addressed.

Dr Aslam said that it has now been decided that Drap will amend the ruled and share a copy of the draft with members of the committee.