The Ethical Marketing to Healthcare Professionals Rules have been notified vide SRO 1472(I)/2021 on the 12th of November 2021 by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan. These rules have been promulgated to make the interaction between companies and healthcare professionals transparent, free from corrupt practices and to facilitate medical decisions making in the best interest of the patient.
The aforementioned rules require therapeutic goods companies to submit marketing expenditure details under rule 14(2) and annual compliance certificate under rule 13(h). Subsequent to the notification of these rules, DRAP has drafted an implementation strategy which requires systematic data submission.
The implementation strategy is aimed at harmonized data submissions by stakeholders in a systemic manner, we have drafted followings formats for data submission:-
Comments from therapeutic goods companies, healthcare professionals and relevant stakeholders are invited on the draft documents within 15 days. These comments along with justification are to be submitted using prescribed format, (further information on comments submission can be accessed on this link). Comments and suggestions can be forwarded via email to drap.pharmacy∂gmail.com, copying at aqsa.hashmi∂dra.gov.pk , or can be posted at mailing address, Director, Division of Pharmacy Services, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, Islamabad.
1. Regulatory Field Force 2. Healthcare Professionals- Physicians, Pharmacists, and Nurses at hospitals and clinics, etc. 3. Pharmacists and Chemists at Distribution, Pharmacies, and Medical Stores 4. Patients, Caregivers, and General Public.
Problem Statement
Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1-RA) are a class of Pharmaceuticals indicated to manage Diabetes type II. In Pakistan, only a single brand i.e. Ozempic injection manufactured by Novo Nordisk is registered by DRAP currently and is available as a “prescription only” product.
It is reported that there has been a surge of online information promoting the use of GLP-1 RA products for weight loss which is its unapproved use and this situation is encouraging risky procurement behaviors. Numerous online sources offer GLP-1 RA products for sale without requiring a prescription. The quality and safety of these medical products manufactured and distributed in poorly controlled environments (such as the internet) cannot be assured.
Due to the stated reasons, an increased demand resulting in a global shortage of these products has risen which may create environments favorable for the availability of falsified medical products. Reports have been received by WHO regarding an increase in the availability of falsified GLP-1-RA products in the past six months. It is possible that several versions of falsified GLP-1 RA – regardless of the brand name – are in circulation and available online.
Therapeutic Goods Affected:-
GLP-1 receptor agonists Products containing the following active ingredients:- -semaglutide -exenatide -liraglutide -dulaglutide -lixisenatide
Threat to Public Health
Falsified medical products have been known to lack efficacy and/or cause toxic reactions. They are neither approved nor controlled by DRAP and may have been produced in unhygienic conditions by unqualified personnel, contain unknown impurities, and are sometimes contaminated with bacteria. It is also possible that people living with diabetes type II who miss treatment due to the unavailability of GLP-1-RA products may also suffer clinical consequences.
Advice for Healthcare Professionals
-DRAP requests increased vigilance within the supply chains of institutions/pharmacies/healthcare facilities likely to be affected by these batches of the above-mentioned products.
-Endocrinologists and Pharmacists present at healthcare facilities are requested to remain vigilant and inform patients of procuring medical products only from authorized channels.
-Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of these products shall be reported to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC), DRAP using Adverse Event Reporting Form or online through this link.
-Please click here for further information on problem reporting to DRAP.
Advice for Consumers
To ensure authenticity, consumers should always obtain medical products from authorized licensed pharmacies /outlets. The authenticity of these products should be carefully checked and If the consumer has any doubt, advice must be sought from your pharmacist.
In case a consumer has experienced any problem related to taking or using these drug product(s), they should cease the use of the product in question immediately and contact their Physician or Pharmacist and should also report the incident to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) employs over 500 people from a range of educational backgrounds, who have the skills and experience to perform regulatory operational services under the DRAP Act 2012. These include professionals both technical (qualifications in medicine and pharmacy-related sciences, etc.) and non-technical (qualifications in law, information and communication technology, accounts, human resources management, etc.)
DRAP is mandated to provide effective coordination and enforcement of The Drugs Act, 1976, and harmonization of inter-provincial trade and commerce of therapeutic goods. Being the national regulatory body for therapeutic goods, DRAP performs various regulatory functions of therapeutic goods including licensing of establishments, product registrations/marketing authorizations, pharmacovigilance, post-market surveillance and market control, regulatory inspections, laboratory testing, clinical trials oversight and lot release of biologicals.
The recruitment for vacant positions is in line with DRAP Employee Service Regulation 2015 and vacancies are advertised as per posts approved taking into account the needs of the Authority.
Details of Vacant Positions advertised are as below.
-In case of any difficulty during the online registration, please visit onlinehelp.hec.gov.pk or visit HEC Secretariat, or contact HEC regional offices for guidance.
-Application submission comprises two steps; profile completion using the “My Profile” section and application submission using the “Test Name” link on the menu panel in the left-hand sidebar of the online portal.
-Only SUBMITTED applications will be considered for the Test and applications in SAVE or INCOMPLETE mode will not be entertained.
How to Pay Test Fee
-Test Feeis to be deposited via 1Link/1Bill Invoice participating Banks/ATM/Internet Banking/Mobile Banking/Easypaisa/JazzCash/Upaisa.
-Once you have selected 1link 1bill Invoice payment service. Open /sign into your mobile app and click on Bill payment or payment services (as per your mobile banking app options).
-Click on 1Bill Invoice payment services and enter the consumer number generated by the ETC portal. Once you see the details, pay the amount.
-After depositing the fee through 1link 1Bill Invoice, click on Verify Online Payment on ETC Dashboard.
-The test fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
-The candidates must get their queries/complaints resolved before the closure of the web registration portal. Queries/complaints handling beyond the registration deadline is denied by the system due to logistics/security reasons.
Note: It is Mandatory to bring your Original Roll Number Slip, Original CNIC, Original Passport, and Paid Fee Receipt via 1 link otherwise candidate will not be allowed to sit in the exam.
The Medical Device Board (MDB) of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan in its 58th meeting has deferred the following applications of registration of medical devices due to various deficiencies / shortcomings in the applications dossiers. These applicants are requested to furnish the requisite information / documentations as directed by the Medical Device Board. The detail is provided in the below attachment.
DRAP has rolled out a draft for the second edition of its guidelines on procedure and data requirement for post registration variation of drugs. These Guidelines are intended to assist manufacturers and importers to incorporate variations in their product to account administrative changes, technical and scientific progress, or to improve or introduce additional safeguards. Registration / Marketing Authorization holders are responsible for the safety, efficacy, and quality of drug products that are placed on the market throughout their approved life cycle. These guidelines retain the essentials of the previously published guidelines and have been extended with new terminology of types of variations and documentation required to support a specific change.
This guideline is intended to provide information for submission of post-registration variation application by the registrations / marketing authorization holders of drug products. It includes categories of variations and the required documentation & procedures for submission of an application for a particular variation.
This guidance document is applicable to APIs and excipients manufactured by chemical synthesis or semi-synthetic processes and biological processes and the drug products containing such APIs & excipients.
These draft guidelines on post registration variation were uploaded on the official website of DRAP on 4th July, 2023, seeking comments and suggestions from stakeholders on the draft rules. Stakeholders can submit their comments and suggestions within 14 days of uploading this draft using prescribed format, (further information on comments submission is available on this link). Comments and suggestions can be forwarded via email to muneeb.cheema∂dra.gov.pk, copying at zeeshan.nazir∂dra.gov.pk, or can post at mailing address Director, Pharmaceutical Evaluation & Registration 4th floor TF Complex, 7th Mauve Area, G-9/4, Islamabad.
1. Regulatory Field Force 2. Pharmacists and Chemists at Distribution, Pharmacies, and Medical Stores 3. General Public
Problem Statement
Federal Inspector of Drugs Karachi took the sample of N-Gaisk Plus Tablets and sent it to Central Drug Laboratory, Karachi for test/analysis. Federal Government Analyst has declared the sample as Un-registered under the Drugs Act 1976
The product detail as under: –
Therapeutic Goods Affected:-
Sr
Product Name
Batch #
Manufactured by
Remarks
1
N-Gaisk Plus Tablets Registration No.: Nil
Mfg. Date: Aug 2022 Exp. date: Aug 2028
004
M/s. Naz Homoeo Pharmacy, Karachi
Diclofenac sodiumhas been identified on assay test (24.81mg) which is an allopathic drug and the sample is not registered with DRAP. Hence sample is declared as “Un-registered Drug Product”
Risk Statement:
The Claimed Product is Homoeopathic with some quantity of an allopathic ingredient Diclofenac Sodium which is an Anti-Inflammatory/Rheumatic drug used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis and associated pains. As the product is unregistered this infers that the quality and safety attributes of the product are not accepted and approved by DRAP.
Unregistered products containing Diclofenac Sodium may cause severe adverse reactions including Gastric bleeding and diarrhea.
Action Initiated
The Regulatory Field Force has been directed to increase surveillance throughout the supply chain to confiscate the product. All Pharmacists, chemists, and other healthcare professionals working at distributions, pharmacies, healthcare facilities, and other aspects of the supply chain system should immediately check the stock, and information related to the supplier of such products should be provided to the Regulatory field force (DRAP, Provincial Health Departments and States) to ensure the removal of this product.
Advice for Healthcare Professionals
-DRAP requests increased vigilance within the supply chains of institutions/pharmacies/healthcare facilities likely to be affected by these batches of the above-mentioned products.
-Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product shall be reported to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC), DRAP using Adverse Event Reporting Form or online through this link.
-Please click here for further information on problem reporting to DRAP.
Advice for Consumers
Consumers should not use this product and shall contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problem related to taking or using this drug product and should report the incident to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan / National Pharmacovigilance Centre.
All therapeutic goods must be obtained from licensed pharmacies and other authorized/licensed retail outlets. The authenticity and condition of products should be carefully checked. Seek advice from your pharmacists or other healthcare professionals in case of any doubt.
1. Regulatory Field Force 2. Pharmacists and Chemists at Distribution, Pharmacies, and Medical Stores 3. General Public
Problem Statement
Federal Inspector of Drugs Karachi took the sample of Sugar XL capsules and sent it to Central Drug Laboratory, Karachi for test/analysis. Federal Government Analyst has declared the sample as Unregistered under the Drugs Act 1976.
The product detail as under: –
Therapeutic Goods Affected:-
Sr
Product Name
Batch #
Manufactured by
Remarks
1
Sugar XL Capsules
Registration No.: Nil
Mfg. Date: Nil Exp. date: use within 5 years
Nil
M/s. Naz Homoeo Pharmacy, Karachi
Glibenclamide has been identified on an assay test (3.34mg) which is an allopathic drug and the sample is not registered with DRAP. Hence the sample is declared as “Un-registered Drug Product.”
Risk Statement:
The Claimed Product is Homoeopathic with some quantity of an allopathic ingredient Glibenclamide which is an oral hypoglycemic drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. As the product is unregistered this infers that the quality and safety attributes of the product are not accepted and approved by DRAP.
Unregistered products containing Glibenclamide may cause adverse reactions including variation in blood glucose level which may lead to hypoglycemic conditions and the patient may get faint.
Action Initiated
The Regulatory Field Force has been directed to increase surveillance throughout the supply chain to confiscate the product. All Pharmacists, chemists, and other healthcare professionals working at distributions, pharmacies, healthcare facilities, and other aspects of the supply chain system should immediately check the stock, and information related to the supplier of such products should be provided to the Regulatory field force (DRAP, Provincial Health Departments and States) to ensure the removal of this product.
Advice for Healthcare Professionals
-DRAP requests increased vigilance within the supply chains of institutions/pharmacies/healthcare facilities likely to be affected by these batches of the above-mentioned products.
-Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product shall be reported to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC), DRAP using Adverse Event Reporting Form or online through this link.
-Please click here for further information on problem reporting to DRAP.
Advice for Consumers
Consumers should not use this product and shall contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problem related to taking or using this drug product and should report the incident to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan / National Pharmacovigilance Centre.
All therapeutic goods must be obtained from licensed pharmacies and other authorized/licensed retail outlets. The authenticity and condition of products should be carefully checked. Seek advice from your pharmacists or other healthcare professionals in case of any doubt.
