techend
By Malik Shahzad Aslam :
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan has stepped up action against the illegal online sale and promotion of medicines, urging the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to block websites and platforms involved in the practice.
Officials say the move targets a growing network of unauthorised sellers operating through websites and social media pages, offering medicines without regulatory approval or oversight. Authorities warned that the trend poses a serious risk to public health, particularly as unregistered and smuggled drugs are being marketed directly to consumers.
Investigations by DRAP have found that medicines sourced from abroad, including neighbouring countries, are being sold online without proper verification. The regulator said such products bypass essential safety checks, quality standards and efficacy testing required under national drug laws.
A key concern highlighted by the authority is the promotion of prescription medicines without medical approval, which it says is encouraging self-medication. Officials noted that drugs related to weight loss, mental health and other sensitive treatments are being widely advertised with misleading claims.
DRAP said the unauthorised sale and advertisement of medicines violates existing regulations, which require prior approval for all pharmaceutical promotions. It warned that those involved could face penalties, confiscation of products and legal proceedings.
The regulator has called on the PTA to take immediate enforcement action, including blocking access to offending websites and ensuring that social media platforms remove advertisements for unregistered medicines.
In a public advisory, DRAP urged citizens to avoid purchasing medicines from unverified online sources and to rely only on licensed pharmacies and qualified healthcare providers.
Officials said coordinated action between regulatory bodies and public awareness would be essential to tackling the issue, as online medicine sales continue to expand without adequate safeguards.
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