Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has launched a bold nationwide campaign to eradicate counterfeit and substandard medicines. Reviving the National Task Force 2025, the initiative marks a robust enforcement phase set to begin mid-May.

Starting May 19, a coordinated effort between federal and provincial agencies, including DRAP, Customs, FIA, and healthcare regulators, will focus on inspections, surprise raids, and market surveillance targeting pharmaceutical factories, distribution networks, and retail outlets.

Minister Kamal emphasized that this initiative is more than a regulatory drive; it’s a national emergency. He affirmed: “Threats to human life and public trust are unacceptable.” To bolster public engagement, DRAP will launch a mobile app offering barcode scans for instant medicine verification, tools for reporting suspicious products, and updates on shortages or adverse reactions.

Additionally, Kamal directed DRAP and related departments to deploy all available resources to eliminate fake and substandard drugs. He underscored that every decision made has a direct impact on lives, reaffirming the government’s commitment to public welfare.

This campaign reinforces Pakistan’s resolve to guarantee medicine safety, rebuild trust in healthcare quality, and strengthen regulatory governance across the pharmaceutical sector.