Islamabad, May 6, 2025: Transparency International (TI) Pakistan has called upon the Chief Ministers of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Balochistan to take immediate action against alarming irregularities in the health sector, raising concerns over public and veterinary health risks across the provinces.
In formal letters sent to the provincial leaders, TI Pakistan echoed concerns previously communicated to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Punjab. The organization warned of the widespread availability of substandard and unregulated drugs due to weak enforcement and regulatory oversight.
Among the key issues highlighted were the sale of nutraceuticals and alternative medicines without proper formulation or labeling, and the alleged administration of expired cardiac stents at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology — an incident underscoring systemic regulatory failures.
TI Pakistan also criticized the alleged inaction of drug inspectors, despite their obligations under the Drug Act, and expressed serious concern over the sale of unregistered veterinary medicines, which pose a potential threat to the livestock sector.
The watchdog emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive sampling and laboratory testing of all drug categories. It urged authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible for the manufacture and distribution of expired or unregistered medical devices.
Furthermore, TI Pakistan called for rigorous inspections of facilities producing nutraceuticals and alternative medicines, demanding that legal measures be taken against any non-compliant units.
Reiterating its role as a public-interest watchdog operating under the right to information laws, TI Pakistan urged provincial governments to prioritize health sector reforms to ensure the provision of safe, effective, and quality medicines for both humans and animals.
