Maryam approves program to rid Punjab of spurious drugs

Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, emphasized the need for Pakistanis to awaken their conscience, work diligently, set their intentions right, and fear God. She made these remarks while approving a program aimed at eradicating substandard and spurious medicines in Punjab. “To fix the system, rewards and punishments will have to be added at every level,” she added.

Madam Chief Minister directed authorities to install biometric systems in hospitals to ensure the attendance of doctors, medical staff, and nurses. She stated, “There is no justification for the hospital administration to sit in offices,” and called for the strict implementation of monitoring measures using modern technology and geo-tagging of drug stores and medicine-selling shops.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif insisted on ensuring cleanliness in hospitals and declared that negligence would not be tolerated. She emphasized that there should be no compromise on the quality of medicines, sanitation, availability of medical staff, and treatment facilities in emergencies across all health departments. She stressed the importance of the presence of doctors and medical staff in every government treatment center.

Madam Chief Minister announced plans to impose fines, imprisonment, and closure of businesses for those selling fake, substandard, and spurious medicines. She also stated that if a medicine is found to be fake, the responsible officer in the health department would be held accountable, and if treatment is not correct, the hospital administration would be responsible.

Additionally, she approved a program to upgrade mother and child health and emergency facilities in every government treatment center in Punjab on an urgent basis.