Urooj Niazi 
pm launches digital licensing for medical devices
PM Shahbaz Launches Digital Licensing System for Medical Devices
In what may be one of the most comprehensive steps in the modernization of healthcare regulations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday launched a digital application system for licensing and registering medical devices in Pakistan. This digital application system is expected to bring increasing levels of transparency, speed and safety to the country’s medical industry.
Speaking at the launch event in Islamabad on Monday, the Prime Minister congratulated Federal Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan and his leadership at DRAP for their hard work. He stated that they have achieved a much more efficient and transparent regulatory system.
“I truly congratulate the health minister and leadership at DRAP for putting together this clear, transparent system. It is quite an achievement.” Shehbaz Sharif said.
DRAG to DRAP: A History of Delays
The Prime Minister spoke about the old historic problems in Pakistan’s drug regulation. He jokingly stated that DRAP used to be “DRAG” because one of the issues was providing delays.
He remembered a case of many patients dying from using poor quality medicines around 2010-11 at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology. At that time, DRAP said the medicines were safe, yet international labs in London and France reported the opposite. The medicines were sold as heart drugs, yet they were malaria medicines.
DRAP’s Image is Improving
Shehbaz Sharif commended the changes recently made in DRAP, adding that there was capable leadership at DRAP and DRAP is improving every day. Credit goes to the previous coalition government and the current team, who are working on healthcare reform. He thanked Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and mentioned his great work as Mayor of Karachi and he is now in charge of reviving the hospitals and health care facilities that have been neglected for years.
Pakistan has Taken a Step Forward in Healthcare
Pakistan has made a step in the direction toward modern, accountable regulation of medical devices through the launch of this digital licensing system. Ultimately, it will enable devices to be assessed faster, decrease counterfeit or poor-quality products, and strengthen public trust in the system.
