ISLAMABAD – The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has joined hands with the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) to strengthen oversight of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical and therapeutic goods market through improved data and information sharing.
Salman Amin, Member of the CCP, and Dr Obaidullah, Chief Executive Officer of DRAP, inked the MoU. The ceremony held at the CCP’s head office was witnessed by Member CCP Saeed Ahmed Nawaz, Aamar Latif, Director Legal Affairs DRAP, and senior officials from both organisations.
The MoU establishes a framework for closer coordination. Both institutions will share information, support joint enforcement, and strengthen monitoring of deceptive marketing practices, unfair competition, and misleading claims in the therapeutic goods and Over-the-Counter (OTC) categories. The agreement also covers digital data exchange, capacity building, and collaboration in research and policy analysis.
Salman Amin said the partnership will ensure fair market practices which help the economy and protect consumers. This collaboration is more imminent when online advertising and e-commerce have increased the risk of deceptive practices. He said that the pharmaceutical sector has a direct impact on the public at large, and both institutions have to work together to ensure transparency and fair competition.
Dr Obaidullah said federal regulatory bodies operate under defined mandates but share common goals in certain domains. He noted that price deregulation and supply challenges require coordinated oversight. He added that harmonisation and collaboration between institutions improve regulatory outcomes and help maintain the availability and fair pricing of essential medicines.
