The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has introduced a new rule requiring licensed doctors to prescribe antibiotics before they can be sold. This change applies to all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
On Friday, DRAP officials announced this new measure to fight the increasing problem of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and to prevent the dangerous practice of self-medication.
Self-medication, where people take these medicine without a doctor’s advice, can lead to misuse and overuse of these medicines. This misuse also makes bacteria resistant to antibiotics, making it harder to treat infections. DRAP’s new rule aims to address these issues.
According to local pharmaceutical data, Pakistan spent around Rs. 135 billion on antibiotics in 2022. A major concern is that people use 70% to 80% of these antibiotics unnecessarily for conditions that do not need them, which adds to the problem of AMR.
DRAP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Asim Rauf pointed out that the sale of antibiotics without a prescription in Pakistan has led to misuse and overuse. Moreover, he noted that, like other countries that regulate antibiotics and sell them only with a prescription, Pakistan must adopt these practices to reduce self-medication.
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The DRAP chief also mentioned plans to work with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and other healthcare authorities to address and take action against doctors who prescribe antibiotics incorrectly or for personal gain. Furthermore, pharmaceutical companies will face strict measures if they provide incentives for inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions.
We expect this new regulation to improve the responsible use of antibiotics and help reduce the growing problem of drug resistance in Pakistan.
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