Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has written a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressing grave concerns over the widespread presence of substandard, counterfeit, and unregistered medicines in the province's markets.
According to the 24NewsHD TV Channel, the organisation has demanded comprehensive sampling and testing of all categories of drugs to ensure public safety.
The letter also calls for strict inspection of units producing alternative medicines and legal action against individuals or facilities found in possession of expired or unregistered medical devices.
TIP stressed the urgent need to ensure the availability of safe medicines for both humans and animals across Punjab.
Citing a recent scandal involving the alleged implantation of expired stents at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC), the watchdog highlighted serious gaps in pharmaceutical regulation and enforcement.
TIP pointed out the lack of regulatory oversight in the sale of dietary supplements and alternative medicines, stating that drug inspectors had allegedly failed to monitor the production of such products effectively.
It further revealed the large-scale circulation of unregistered veterinary drugs in the market, despite the presence of a sizable number of drug inspectors in the province.
In its letter, TIP urged the CM to initiate legal action against those manufacturing and distributing expired or unregistered medical devices.
The organisation also called for immediate inspections of alternative medicine manufacturing units, particularly those not complying with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards.
This letter comes after TIP earlier wrote to the prime minister this month on similar concerns related to drug safety and public health in Pakistan.