The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation and enhancing regulatory oversight of the pharmaceutical market in Pakistan.
Key Areas of Cooperation
Under the agreement, both institutions will:
- Share information and data to improve transparency and regulatory efficiency.
- Collaborate on policy research, data analysis, and capacity-building initiatives.
- Develop a comprehensive framework for monitoring medicine prices and availability across the country.
- Establish a joint mechanism to evaluate misleading advertisements of pharmaceutical products.
- Work together to detect and prevent cartelization in the pharmaceutical sector, ensuring fair competition and consumer protection.
Crackdown on Fake Medicines
The signing of the MoU comes as DRAP intensifies its nationwide crackdown against counterfeit medicines.
- DRAP, in coordination with provincial Drug Control Departments, has seized multiple batches of fake medicines from medical markets across the country.
- The confiscated counterfeit drugs include treatments for fever, body pain, bacterial infections, ulcers, and anxiety disorders.
- A total of 10 counterfeit medicines were recovered during recent raids.
- DRAP has issued rapid alerts to healthcare providers and the public, warning them about the dangers of these fake drugs.
The strengthened partnership between CCP and DRAP is expected to support improved market regulation, protect consumer rights, and ensure safer, more transparent access to pharmaceuticals nationwide.
