ISLAMABAD, SEPT 27 (DNA) – President Mamnoon Hussain has directed that all possible efforts should be made for the timely provision of medicines to the patients of orphan/rare diseases so that the objectives of public health in the country can be achieved.

The President said this during a briefing by Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSRC) regarding the federal policy of manufacturing and assessment of the prices of life saving/orphan drugs here at the Awian-e-Sadr, Islamabad on Wednesday. Federal Minister for NHSRC Mrs. Saira Afzal Tarar and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

The President took keen interest in the briefing and advised that the relevant stakeholders should also be taken into confidence to increase the effectiveness of the said policy. The President stressed for the early establishment of Federal Drug Testing Laboratory approved from the World Health Organization to verify the quality of the medicines manufactured in Pakistan so that the export of the medicines prepared in Pakistan can be enhanced.

Federal Minister for National Health Services Mrs. Saira Afzal Tarar apprised the president that the policy regarding the orphan drugs for the treatment of life threatening rare diseases will be implemented soon after the completion of necessary legal formalities.