DRAP allows patients to import medicines for personal use

ISLAMABAD: Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has allowed patients to import the medicines that are not available locally for personal use.

Through a statement, DRAP informed to the public and physicians that DRAP allowed patients to import small quantities of medicines for their personal use.

“Patients can apply to DRAP offices located in capital and provincial headquarters for import permission,” read the statement.

There are few medicines which at the moment are not registered in Pakistan due to patent issues or other reasons.

“Although DRAP has a priority review system and early registration process for new medicines but a small number of medicines are not available due to international patent laws,” said DRAP.

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DRAP has ensured that patients have access to medicines for all ailments, but if a registered medical practitioner prescribed any un-registered medicine, patient could import it for his/her personal use, it added.

The application process is very simple; “all you need is to bring an application on simple paper, a copy of CNIC and original prescription of the physician”.

Patients or their relatives can contact on following numbers for further information and guidance. Islamabad: 051-9107298, Lahore: 042-99203323, Karachi: 021-34390712, Peshawar: 091-9213025 and Quetta: 081-2443926.