Summary The court directed audit of Rs37,000,000 and also sought angioplasty report from PIMS.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday has ordered to produce cardiac stents in Pakistan till May at any cost.
Conducting hearing on the suo moto notice, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar asked from Dr Samar Mubarak about the production of the stents over which he said that he imported machine from Germany in 2004 to produce 10,000 stent annually.
The plan was initiated with the cost of Rs37 million, he added.
CJP asked to inform about the performance and working of the project in written over which Additional Attorney General said that audit of Rs37 million was not done while no plea is pending in Drug Regulatory Authority in this regard.
Meanwhile, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) officials said that the machine was purchased for 30 million over which CJP ordered to produce Pakistani stents ant any cost till May, adding that those who donot want to work should better leave the country.
Subsequently, the court directed audit of Rs37,000,000 and also sought angioplasty report from PIMS.
Earlier, Chief Executive Officer (CIO) of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Aslam Afghani had briefed the standing committee of National Assembly and admitted that many patients are given fake stents which risks their lives.
He stated, “Some companies are manufacturing fake stents in Pakistan”. “Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) carried out a raid and discovered that stents worth only Rs 20,000 were being sold for Rs 2,50,000”, DRAP chief added.
Aslam Afghani told that just 55 stents were registered before the scandal while the number had jumped up to 80 afterward. “Prices will be decided in coming DRAP pricing policy”, he assured.
