ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination on Thursday expressed serious concern over the shortage of diabetes drugs and insulin, while reviewing nursing sector reforms and the performance of the Health Services Academy (HSA).
The meeting, chaired by Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, pointed out inconsistencies in the availability of specific medicine brands and emphasized that full details about the shortage and discounted medicines provided to MPs should be shared with the committee.
The deputies questioned the quality of medicines offered to parliamentarians at a 30 percent discount.
The officials informed the committee that 16 samples had been collected from Parliamentarians’ Dispensary and six from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), and the test reports would be shared in the next meeting. The minister assured the committee that relevant stakeholders would be convened for a detailed discussion.
The commission also sought clarification as to whether the 69 per cent discount granted in the pharmacy tender awarded to the Federal Government Hospital was being passed on to the general public.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) stated that inspections were being carried out in coordination with ICT inspectors, while procurement was being carried out in accordance with PPRA rules.
Lifestyle medicine and preventive healthcare were also discussed and members proposed inclusion of lifestyle education in medical curricula through Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and provincial curricula.
The president ordered that the topic be included on the agenda of the next meeting. Proposed amendments to the PMDC Act and problems faced by Pakistani medical students abroad were also flagged for future deliberations.
On legislative matters, the committee discussed the Pakistan Nursing Council (Amendment) Bill, 2024. It was reported that after the promulgation of the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council Ordinance, 2025, the Pakistan Nursing Council Act, 2023 was repealed.
The Ministry of Law and Justice confirmed that the ordinance would be presented to the National Assembly. In view of these developments, the committee resolved the draft amendment.
The committee received a detailed briefing from the Academy of Health Services, where the vice-chancellor highlighted its role as Pakistan’s first public health university, its training programs for in-service doctors, its collaboration with UN agencies and its work on One Health initiatives.
The Minister drew attention to the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance, particularly due to the overuse of antibiotics in livestock, and noted that the HSA was addressing this neglected area.
Members raised questions on admissions, faculty recruitment, budget constraints, use of artificial intelligence, plagiarism checking mechanisms, representation of students from Balochistan and governance issues, including approvals related to recent promotions.
The HSA administration assured the committee that admissions and hiring were carried out strictly on merit and in accordance with due process, and that relevant records would be shared.
