ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination on Thursday expressed serious concern over shortages of diabetes drugs and insulin, while reviewing nursing sector reforms and the findings of the Health Services Academy (HSA).
The meeting, led by Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, noted discrepancies in the availability of specific brands of medicine and stressed that full details of shortages and discounted medicines given to parliamentarians should be shared with the committee.
The members questioned the quality of medicine offered to parliamentarians at a 30 percent discount.
Officials informed the committee that 16 samples had been collected from the parliamentarians’ dispensary and six from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), with test reports to be shared at the next meeting. The minister assured the committee that relevant stakeholders would be called for a detailed discussion.
The committee also sought clarification on whether a 69 per cent discount given under the pharmacy tender awarded to the Federal Government Hospital was disclosed to the public.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) stated that inspections were carried out in coordination with ICT inspectors while procurement was carried out in accordance with PPRA rules.
Lifestyle medicine and preventive health care were also discussed with members suggesting the inclusion of lifestyle education in medical curricula through the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and provincial curricula.
The chairman suggested that the matter be put on the agenda for the next meeting. Proposed amendments to the PMDC Act and issues faced by Pakistani medical students abroad were also flagged for future consideration.
On legislative matters, the Committee discussed the Pakistan Nursing Council (Amendment) Bill, 2024. It was informed that after the promulgation of the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council Ordinance, 2025, the Pakistan Nursing Council Act, 2023 was repealed.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed that the order would be submitted to the national assembly. Based on this development, the committee disposed of the amendment proposal.
The Committee received a detailed briefing from the Health Services Academy, where the Vice-Chancellor highlighted its role as Pakistan’s first public health university, its training programs for tenured doctors, collaboration with UN agencies and work on One Health initiatives.
The minister drew attention to the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance, particularly due to excessive use of antibiotics in livestock, and noted that the HSA addressed this neglected area.
Members raised issues regarding admissions, faculty recruitment, budgetary constraints, use of artificial intelligence, plagiarism control mechanisms, representation of students from Balochistan and government affairs, including approvals related to recent promotions.
The HSA administration assured the committee that admissions and recruitments were conducted strictly on merit and in accordance with due process and that relevant records would be shared.
