Dawn
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16:50 Jul 21, 2025
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday launched the Digital System for Licensing and Registration of Medical Devices, which will accelerate the registration process, state media Radio Pakistan reported. The registration of life-saving medical devices and diagnostic products in Pakistan became a critical issue earlier this year. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) was under scrutiny over “sluggish” and “highly inefficient” operations for the approval and registration of medical devices. According to the chairman of Healthcare Devices Association of Pakistan, the situation was causing heavy financial losses to importers and disrupting patient care in hospitals. Speaking at the launch ceremony in Islamabad, he said that the process will be completed in the shortest possible time, stating: “Now, decisions will be made swiftly and transparently.” The premier hoped that the applications for registration of medical services and equipment would be decided within 20 days in a transparent and merit-based ...