Islamabad, January 8, 2026: The Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) on Thursday held a meeting under the chairmanship of Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, MNA, to deliberate on key issues related to medicine availability and quality, nursing sector reforms, and public health education and research.
Reviewing the implementation status of its previous recommendations, the committee expressed serious concern over shortages of diabetes medicines and insulin, as well as inconsistencies in the availability of specific brands. Members stressed that complete details regarding medicine shortages and discounted medicines provided to parliamentarians should be formally shared with the committee.
Concerns were also raised over the 30 per cent discount on medicines offered to parliamentarians, with members questioning the quality of such medicines. Officials informed the committee that sampling had been carried out by deputed field officers, with 16 samples collected from the Parliamentarians’ Dispensary and six from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). The testing reports will be shared with the committee once available. The minister assured members that relevant entities would be called to the next meeting for a detailed discussion.
The committee also sought clarification on whether the 69 per cent discount awarded under a pharmacy tender to the Federal Government Hospital (FGH) was being passed on to the general public. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) informed the committee that inspections were being conducted under its mandate in coordination with ICT inspectors, while procurement was carried out in accordance with Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules.
Lifestyle medicine and preventive healthcare also came under discussion. The minister briefed the committee on efforts to shift the healthcare system from a sickness-based model to a wellness-oriented approach. Members proposed the inclusion of lifestyle education in medical curricula through the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and in provincial syllabi at all levels. The chairman directed that the matter be placed on the agenda of the next meeting. Amendments to the PMDC Act and challenges faced by Pakistani students studying abroad were also flagged for future deliberation.
The committee took up the Pakistan Nursing Council (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and noted that following the promulgation of the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council Ordinance, 2025, the Pakistan Nursing Council Act, 2023 stood repealed under Clause 47 of the ordinance. The Ministry of Law and Justice concurred that the ordinance would be laid before the National Assembly. The minister informed the committee that notification of council members was imminent and assured that all concerns raised would be addressed in the first meeting of the newly constituted council. In view of these developments, the committee disposed of the amendment bill moved by Syed Rafiullah, MNA.
The committee also received a detailed briefing from the Health Services Academy (HSA). The Vice Chancellor highlighted HSA’s role as Pakistan’s first public health university, its faculty strength, training of in-service doctors, collaboration with United Nations agencies, and progress on One Health initiatives. The minister drew attention to the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance, particularly due to the excessive use of antibiotics in livestock, and noted that HSA was actively addressing this long-neglected area.
Members raised questions regarding admissions, faculty recruitment, budgetary constraints, use of artificial intelligence, plagiarism control mechanisms in theses, student representation from Balochistan, and governance matters, including approvals by the HSA Senate and Syndicate for recent promotions. The HSA administration assured the committee that admissions were conducted strictly on merit and quota basis, recruitments followed due process, and relevant documents and approvals would be shared in upcoming meetings.
Issues related to HIV testing surveys, availability of testing kits, inter-ministerial coordination, and transparency in survey findings were also discussed. The ministry assured the committee that earlier concerns were being addressed and that detailed information would be provided in future meetings. HSA also sought the committee’s support in countering what it described as misinformation and defamation attempts by certain private entities, stating that the committee could serve as a platform to clarify facts.
Emphasising the need for improved coordination between the ministry and its attached departments, the committee appreciated the comprehensive briefing by HSA and underscored the importance of transparency, accountability and timely sharing of information. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Farah Naz Akbar, Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Dr Nikhat Shakeel Khan, Dr Shaista Khan, Gul Asghar Khan, Aliya Kamran and Farukh Khan, along with the Minister for NHSR&C and senior officials from the Ministry, PMDC and DRAP.
