At the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) CEO, Dr. Obaidullah, stood tall among global health leaders, showcasing Pakistan’s transformative reforms to combat substandard and falsified (SF) medicines a crisis endangering millions worldwide.

Why Dr. Obaidullah Stole the Spotlight

During a high-profile WHO panel discussion, Dr. Obaidullah highlighted Pakistan’s pioneering efforts to strengthen drug regulation, including:

  • Rapid Alerts for Contaminated Syrups: Pakistan was the first country to issue advisories on toxic DEG/EG-contaminated syrups, preventing tragedies like those in Gambia and Uzbekistan.
  • Lab Modernization: Six of Pakistan’s 11 public-sector drug testing labs now meet WHO prequalification standards a milestone for quality assurance.
  • 2D Barcode Tracking: DRAP is rolling out QR-code verification to let consumers instantly check medicine authenticity, a model for global adoption.

A Global Threat, A Pakistani Solution

Falsified medicines cause 1 in 10 drugs worldwide to fail safety standards, wasting $30 billion annually. Dr. Obaidullah emphasized:

“SF medicines are not a local problem they’re an international crime. Pakistan’s harmonized regulations and cross-border collaboration are the solution.”

His call for binding global legislation against online drug sales resonated deeply, with Pakistan pledging to sponsor a WHA resolution on the issue.

Pakistan’s Leadership on the World Stage

Dr. Obaidullah’s expertise cemented Pakistan’s role as a regulatory innovator:

  • From Crisis to Credibility: After past challenges, DRAP’s reforms now position Pakistan as a WHO Benchmarking Tool “Level 3” regulator.
  • Fighting the “Perfect Crime”: With fake medicine profits surpassing illicit drugs ($200B+), Pakistan’s enforcement strategies—like mandatory ingredient testing—set a gold standard.

The Road Ahead

Dr. Obaidullah urged nations to:

  1. Ban unregulated online drug sales.
  2. Invest in regional regulatory cooperation.
  3. Prioritize public awareness—citing Pakistan’s campaigns urging citizens to “buy only from licensed pharmacies.”

Why Pakistan and Dr. Obaidullah Matter

In a world where fake medicines kill thousands annually, Pakistan’s DRAP, under Dr. Obaidullah’s leadership, proves that strong governance saves lives. As WHO members debate global policies, Pakistan’s voice—rooted in action, not rhetoric—shines as a beacon of hope.

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