Spokesperson of DRAP said that the 35th meeting of Enlistment Evaluation Committee (EEC) was held under the Chairmanship of Director Health & OTC. Total 166 product enlistment applications of local manufacturers and importers were presented for consideration of the committee. Out of 166 applications, 106 applications of nutraceuticals and 21 applications of herbal / Unani were approved and 24 applications were deffered for fulfilment of prescribed criteria, 10 applications were deffered for product specific inspection (PSI), and 5 applications were rejected by the committee. Two cases for enlistment of local manufacturer and six cases of importers were also considered and approved. DRAP said that meetings of EEC are being held on weekly basis. Product applications are also being processed on priority, those fulfilling prescribed criteria are placed before the Enlistment and Evaluation Committee (EEC) and if approved granted product enlistment accordingly. It is clear that incomplete applications could not be granted approval under the rules and hence such applications are rejected, if the applicants fail to complete it despite reminders. DRAP further said that the traditional medicine are complex subject and being regulated in low and middle income countries gradually. Division of Health& OTC is regulating these medicines as per S.R.O. 412(I) Alternative medicines and Health product (Enlistment) rules, which was an unregulated sector being a country having 210 million population DRAP said that it is the main priority of the Division is to provide safe, effective and Quality herbal/unani medicines with rational use at patient door step. In a three year short period, Division of Health and OTC has issued 727 enlistment numbers to local and foreign manufacturing firms. Division is committed to facilitate all those firms which intend to export to provide No Objection Certificate within one to three days. Those culprits found to manufacture substandard herbal medicines will be dealt with iron hands. DRAP is regulating alternative medicines including Unani / Herbal and nutraceuticals for the first time and the initiative of DRAP to bring said medicines under the ambit of regulation needs appreciation.
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