KARACHI: At least 27 life-saving medicines have not been available in medical stores and hospitals pharmacies across the country for the last couple of weeks.  

Drug Inspector Sindh said that 27 major drugs including insulin are not available in medical stores in Karachi and Secretary Provincial Drug Quality Control Board Sindh Syed Adnan Rizvi has directed the drug inspectors of the entire province to survey the markets.

According to the officials, 30 important medicines are not available in the market even in the federal capital Islamabad and its surroundings.

Officials said the unavailable drugs include antibiotics, psychiatric and asthma drugs, while tetanus injections and different types of inhalers are also in dire shortage.

On the other hand, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) officials have claimed that there is no major shortage of drugs in the country, and there could be supply chain issues.

DRAP officials said that they conduct drug availability surveys every week across the country, and insulin is available in abundance and available to patients, adding that there is no truth in the reports of insulin shortage.

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Earlier,  As the world observes World Malaria Day on Thursday, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif called for a vigorous political commitment and adequate investment strategies to reach the goal of a world free from the disease.