Regulation of infant formula milk being removed from DRAP’s control, given to provincial jurisdiction
M. Waqar Bhatti:
Islamabad: In a significant policy shift, the federal government has decided to strip the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) of its authority over the regulation of baby milk and general infant food, transferring the responsibility entirely to provincial food departments, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) officials told a senate panel on Tuesday.
This decision, finalized after months of deliberations at the forums of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the Board of Investment (BOI), DRAP officials said, is set to be implemented through amendments in the relevant laws, which have already been vetted by the Law and Justice Division and are now being submitted to the Cabinet Committee for Legislative Cases (CCLC) for final approval.
During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, DRAP officials briefed members that under the DRAP Act, 2012 and the Alternative Medicines and Health Products (Enlistment) Rules, 2014, baby milk and food were previously categorized as Health and OTC Products (non-drugs).
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However, due to a dual regulatory framework — where both DRAP and provincial food departments had overlapping jurisdiction — confusion and inefficiencies emerged in enforcement and oversight.
To resolve the matter, stakeholders concluded that all baby milk and infant food products meant for general consumption will now be regulated solely by provincial food authorities, while DRAP will retain jurisdiction over baby milk and food products specifically formulated for medical needs.
The Senate committee, following a detailed briefing, agreed to revisit the issue in a forthcoming in-camera session to discuss its broader implications on public health and consumer protection.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, also addressed multiple critical issues plaguing Islamabad’s healthcare infrastructure.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal revealed plans for an imminent public-private partnership model to reduce the overwhelming pressure on public hospitals, which are reportedly serving up to ten times their intended capacity. He maintained that work on this model will begin within the next 15 to 20 days, with involvement from nonprofit private healthcare institutions.
Mustafa Kamal also confirmed preparations for laying the foundation of the Jinnah Medical Complex in Islamabad — envisioned as one of the largest research and teaching hospitals in the region.
Lawmakers raised serious concerns about the condition of the Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital, with Senators Masroor Ahmed and Hidayatullah describing it as “broken” and unfit to serve patients. Hidayatullah recounted how, despite being a senator, he had to queue up with patients and personally witnessed a lack of medicines and doctor availability.
Minister Kamal acknowledged the immense burden faced by Islamabad’s two main hospitals and 30 Basic Health Units (BHUs), which serve not only the city’s nearly 2.7 million residents but also patients from Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Originally designed for 3,000 patients, these facilities are now seeing up to 30,000 visits daily.
The minister said that in addition to the public-private partnership, new branches of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) are being constructed across Islamabad and nearing completion. He also stated that previously underutilized COVID-era hospital buildings — such as a 266-bed facility — will be activated soon.
Chairman Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, expressed concern over the lack of planning and vision in Islamabad’s health infrastructure. He questioned why, despite the capital’s growing population — now exceeding 3 million — only two major public hospitals continue to serve the entire city. He stressed the need for long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes and emphasized that available infrastructure, including the 266-bed hospital built during COVID-19, must be fully utilized to ease the current burden.
Senator Chishti further recommended the establishment of an additional large public hospital in Islamabad. “This city cannot be run on outdated models; we need expansion and reform,” he remarked.
The meeting also delved into deep-rooted issues with the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), with Minister Kamal branding it a “mafia-like” institution, alleging that it is mired in corruption, internal mismanagement, and overreach. He said he lacked legal authority to overhaul the institution, although he holds informal influence.
Members of the committee assured full support for legislative amendments to bring the Council under proper regulatory control. An in-camera briefing on this matter was also proposed.
The committee expressed strong displeasure over the absence of the Vice Chancellor of Health Services Academy, who had been formally summoned but failed to attend without providing an explanation and recommended referring the matter to the Privilege Committee.
