Drap’s new labelling requirements irk businesses

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed reservations over new labelling requirements introduced by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) for health and over the counter (OTC) products and requested the authority to withdraw the notification issued to this effect and hold deliberations with the stakeholders for a viable policy.

The LCCI President Aftab Iqbal Sheikh in a letter to the Drap’s Additional Director Health and OTC stated that the authority has issued the latest directions about labelling without any deliberations with the stakeholders which may create practical issues for the businesses. He stated that packaging is an important part of every business contract with financial impact, therefore, for any change in it at-least one year planning is required.

Furthermore, with reference to imports, the LCCI chief stated that many difficulties including financial challenges exist to adopt another language i.e. In Urdu in addition to English. “Businesses are either closing down or struggling to survive amid Covid-19 pandemic, therefore, it would be impracticable to ask the businesses to discard the existing packages and to develop a new one on a short notice. He requested the Drap authorities to hold consultations with the stakeholders for a viable solution.

On the other hand, Pakistan Alternative Medicine Manufacturers Association has asked the government to take notice of Drap directions to the doctors vis-a-vis prescribing alternative medicines.

A spokesman of the association stated that food supplements are important part in the treatment of different health problems and it is not the domain of Drap to restrict the doctors from prescribing any supplement.