The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (Urdu: قومی وزارتِ ضوابط ، ربطِ باہمی و خدماتِ صحتِ عامّہ; abbreviated as MoNHSRC) is a cabinet level ministry of the government of Pakistan with responsibility for national public health.[1]
The function of this new ministry was to provide provision of medical services, frame health policies and enforce the same at a national level. Literacy and Basic Education Department with focus on Skill Development Programmers and Vocational Education. [3]
Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan was established under the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan Act, 2012, is the main constitutional body to regulate therapeutic goods in the country. Therapeutic goods regulated by the DRAP include drugs, biological, medical devices, alternative medicines & health products. Previously, scope was limited to Drugs and Biologicals, however, it was extended to other categories after enactment of the Drugs Regulatory Authority of Pakistan Act, 2012.
Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) is mandated to provide for effective coordination and enforcement of The Drugs Act, 1976 (XXXI of 1976) and to bring harmony in inter-provincial trade and commerce of therapeutic goods. DRAP is responsible for ensuring that therapeutic goods approved and available in market meet prescribed standards of quality, safety and efficacy and are sold at reasonable prices. This includes registration and marketing authorization, vigilance, market surveillance and control, licensing establishments, regulatory inspection, laboratory testing, clinical trials oversight, pharmacovigilance and lot release of biologicals.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan was established in 2012 and is the largest department in the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, with its headquarters in Islamabad and regional offices in the provincial capitals of Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. DRAP has been established by the Federal Government, and its General direction, Administration and monitoring of the Authority vests with Policy Board of DRAP. The Authority comprises a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), appointed by the Federal Government and thirteen Directors, leading each Division of DRAP which perform various functions as mandated under the DRAP Act, 2012. These Divisions are majorly divided into two types, those performing regulatory activities as follows:
Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluations & Registration
Division of Drug Licensing
Division of Health and OTC Products (non-drugs)
Division of Medical Devices and Medicated Cosmetics
Division of Pharmacy Services
Division of Quality Assurance and Laboratory Testing
Division of Biological Evaluation and Research
Division of Controlled Drugs
Division of Costing and Pricing
While supportive Divisions are;
Division of Management Information Services
Division of Budget and Accounts
Division of Legal Affairs
Division of Administration, HR and Logistics
Tobacco Control Cell
A separate cell was created in 2007. The rationale for the creation of the Cell stemmed from Pakistan’s international obligation. Pakistan is a signatory to WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.[4] The aim of Tobacco Control Cell is to enhance tobacco control efforts in Pakistan.
National Institute of Population Studies
National Institute of Population Studies (NIPS) is the research organization established by the government since 1986. The NIPS has been mandated to act as a technical arm of the Government for undertaking high quality research and to produce evidence-based data, information for utilization by the Public sector and others agencies for policy formulation, strategic planning and making reference in the spheres of demography, population & development and health.[5]
Directorate of Malaria Control
Directorate of Malaria Control is a separate cell in ministry to co-ordinate country-wide efforts for implementation of Roll Back Malaria initiative for 50% reduction in the malaria burden in Pakistan by the year 2010. By the year 2015 >70% of the high risk population of Pakistan having access and using effective malaria prevention and treatment.[6]
Programs
The ministry directly runs several federal health programs nationwide:
National AIDS Control Program
National AIDS Control Program (NACP) was established in 1986-87. In its early stages, the program focused on laboratory diagnosis of suspected HIV cases.[7]
National Tuberculosis Control Program
Having treated 700,000 tuberculosis patients so far, free diagnosis and treatment and public awareness regarding the disease are the main components of this program. It is currently headed by Lt. Aazam Parvez, Pakistan Army Medical Corps.[8]
National Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health (MNCH) Program
The aim of the MNCH program is to improve accessibility and quality of health services and fill the resource gaps without duplicating inputs or activities.
National Program for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis
More than 400,000 people have been vaccinated through this program, while 104 hospitals have been equipped to provide free treatment to patients.
