08/01/2025

287th Meeting of the Provincial Quality Control Board (PQCB) Chaired by Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir

The 287th meeting of the Provincial Quality Control Board (PQCB) was held under the chairmanship of Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir at the Directorate General Health Services office. The meeting reviewed 59 regular cases along with pending cases.

Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir stated that ensuring the availability of high-quality medicines to the public is a core vision of the Chief Minister of Punjab, and no compromises will be made in this regard. He emphasized that artificial shortages of medicines across the province will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Khawaja Imran Nazir stressed that all pharmaceutical industrial units are mandated to undergo inspections under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). He warned that strict legal action will be taken against industrial units that fail to comply. He noted that 20 industrial units have deliberately avoided inspections and have shut down their operations, which will not be allowed to continue.

A new regime for a track-and-trace system for medicines in the market has been introduced to ensure transparency and accountability. The minister highlighted that providing high-quality medicines in hospitals and markets is the fundamental right of the 125 million people of Punjab.

Instructions were issued to the Drug Control Wing to ensure an adequate stock of medicines in the market. The minister further emphasized that stringent monitoring is underway to ensure the availability of life-saving medicines across Punjab. He directed the monitoring of medicine inventories and the supply process of pharmaceutical companies to ensure the uninterrupted availability of essential drugs.

The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Operations Aun Abbas Bukhari, Additional Secretary Dr. Qalander Khan, Director General Drug Control Muhammad Sohail, Chief Drug Controller Azhar Jamal Saleemi, and Board Secretary Dr. Munawar Hayat. Professors Dr. Mahmood Ahmad, Dr. Imran Ashraf, Dr. Muneeb Ashraf, and Dr. Sajid Bashir also participated in the session.