No one will be allowed to give poison to the people: CM Punjab

Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that the evil trade of spurious medicines will be eliminated at every cost in Punjab. He said that the factories manufacturing fake medicines are murder places and those running these factories deserve deterrent punishment. He said that the interest of the people of the province is dearer.

The Chief Minister said that punishments have been made deterrent for eliminating spurious medicines. He said manufacturing of medicines without license is a big crime and the elements involved in this crime should be behind the bars. He was addressing a high level meeting at Civil Secretariat through video link, here today.

Office-bearers of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association and provincial authorities were present on the occasion. Shehbaz Sharif said that the elements involved in the heinous business of spurious medicines will be taken to task. However, the owners of factories manufacturing medicines according to the standard are our pride, he added. He said that quality medicines are the right of the people which will be provided to them at every cost. He warned that no one will be allowed to give poison to the people in the garb of spurious medicines.

The Chief Minister vowed that Punjab will be purged of fake medicines. He warned that no leniency will be shown to those playing with human lives. He said state of the art drug testing lab of international standard will be set up in Punjab. He said that the genuine reservations of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association will be removed.

Shahbaz Sharif directed to constitute a joint committee comprising provincial authorities, pharmacist experts and office-bearers of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association to consider matters and submit final recommendations within seven days. Office-bearers of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association said that the steps of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif for eliminating business of fake medicines are commendable and they fully support it. The delegation of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association was led by Saeed Allahwala.