ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination on Thursday expressed serious concerns over shortages of diabetes drugs and insulin, while also reviewing nursing sector reforms and the performance of the Health Services Academy (HSA).
The meeting, chaired by Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, noted inconsistencies in the availability of specific brands of medicines and stressed that complete details regarding shortages and discounted medicines provided to parliamentarians should be shared with the committee.
MPs questioned the quality of medicines offered to parliamentarians with a 30 percent reduction.
Officials informed the committee that 16 samples were collected from the Parliamentarians’ Dispensary and six from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), with the test reports expected to 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 on whether the 69 percent discount given in the pharmacy tender awarded to the federal hospital was passed on to the general public.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) said the inspections were carried out in coordination with ICT inspectors, while procurement was carried out in accordance with PPRA rules.
Lifestyle medicine and preventive healthcare were also discussed, with members proposing the inclusion of lifestyle education in medicine curricula through the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and provincial curricula.
The President requests that the matter be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. The proposed amendments to the PMDC Act and issues 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 informed that following the promulgation of the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council Ordinance, 2025, the Pakistan Nursing Council Act, 2023, has been repealed.
The Ministry of Law and Justice confirmed that the ordinance would be tabled before the National Assembly. In view of these developments, the committee ruled on the draft amendment bill.
The committee received a detailed briefing from the Health Services Academy, where the Vice-Chancellor highlighted its role as Pakistan’s premier public health university, its training programs for serving 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, noting that the HSA was tackling this neglected area.
Members raised questions regarding admissions, faculty recruitment, budgetary 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 recruitments were carried out strictly on merit and in accordance with due process, and relevant records would be shared.
