Provincial Quality Control Board takes decisive action against spurious drug dellers

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jul, 2026) The 355th meeting of the Provincial Quality Control board (PQCB), Health Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was held today under the chairmanship of Secretary Health and Chairman PQCB, Fayaz Ali Shah.

The meeting was attended by Samiullah (Vice Chairman, PQCB), Dr. Abbas Khan (Director General, Drug Control & Pharmacy Services), Mr. Muhammad Ibrahim (Secretary, PQCB), Dr. Ashhad Halimi (Chairman, Department of Pharmacy), the Professor of Pharmacology, Khyber Medical College (KMC), Hakim Abdul Waheed, Dr. Usman (Director, DGHS), the Secretary, Pharmacy Council Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Drug Inspectors of the concerned districts.

During the meeting, the Board conducted a comprehensive review of 57 enforcement cases received from the Drug Inspectors of districts of Peshawar, Kohat, Mardan, Swabi, Swat, Lower Dir, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Peshawar.

The cases, submitted by Drug Inspectors under the relevant provisions of the Drugs Act, 1976, involved serious violations related to the manufacture, sale, storage, and distribution of spurious, unregistered, and Substandard medicines.

Following detailed deliberations, the Board approved the registration of 15 FIRs against individuals involved in the sale and distribution of spurious and unregistered medicines.

It also referred 23 cases to the Drug Court for prosecution under the Drugs Act, 1976.

Of these, 15 cases had previously been referred to the FIA, Peshawar, for investigation and the arrest of the accused before being returned to the Health Department for further legal proceedings.

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The Board also directed that 12 drug samples be forwarded to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, for re-analysis under Section 22(5) of the Drugs Act, 1976, to obtain a second opinion. In addition, warnings were issued in five cases, while one case was remanded for re-investigation and further verification.

Addressing the meeting, Secretary Health, Fayaz Ali Shah appreciated the dedicated efforts of the Drug Control field formations in curbing the menace of counterfeit and illegal medicines.

He reaffirmed the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's unwavering commitment to protecting public health and directed enforcement authorities to further intensify operations against those involved in the manufacture, storage, supply, and sale of spurious and illegal medicines.

The Secretary emphasized that no individual or organization found violating the law would be spared, and that strict legal action would continue against all offenders to safeguard public health and preserve the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain.

The Provincial Quality Control Board reiterated its commitment to ensuring the availability of only safe, effective, and quality-assured medicines throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through strong regulatory oversight and rigorous enforcement of the Drugs Act, 1976.