Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially launched the Digital System for Licensing and Registration of Medical Devices, aimed at streamlining and accelerating the regulatory process in Pakistan’s healthcare sector. The new system, developed to eliminate delays and inefficiencies, will address long-standing issues surrounding the registration of life-saving medical devices and diagnostic tools, which earlier this year became a matter of national concern.
The initiative comes in response to criticism directed at Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) over its slow and inefficient handling of device approvals. Importers and healthcare providers have consistently raised concerns that bureaucratic bottlenecks were causing substantial financial losses and negatively impacting patient care. During the launch event in Islamabad, the prime minister emphasized that the digitized process would enable swift and transparent decision-making, with registration applications now expected to be processed within 20 days.
While addressing the gathering, Shehbaz Sharif directly criticized Drap, stating that it had been “dragging” critical cases for years, a delay everyone was aware of. Recalling past shortcomings in the regulatory system, he cited a tragic incident during his tenure as Punjab chief minister when Drap mishandled drug classification, resulting in the misapplication of malaria medication for heart patients, leading to multiple deaths at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology. He also recalled that in 2014-15, despite the government allocating a significant budget for free medicine distribution in public hospitals, 60 percent of the drug samples failed to meet quality standards.
The prime minister reiterated his commitment to overhauling the healthcare system, noting that while the task may be daunting, it is achievable with determination and focused effort. He emphasized that challenges in the sector could be overcome through hard work and consistency, promising that quality healthcare should be accessible to every citizen.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal also addressed the event, outlining the core features of the new system. He highlighted that the digital platform eliminates the need for physical visits to Drap offices by allowing online submissions and issuing registration certificates digitally. This approach is designed to minimize human interaction and reduce processing time, shifting from months-long waits to a streamlined 20-day cycle.
Kamal further stated that the government is optimizing existing resources to tackle healthcare challenges such as rapid population growth and waterborne diseases. He mentioned that public-private partnerships are being encouraged to enhance service delivery. The new licensing system will cover a broad range of medical equipment, including items like wheelchairs and MRI machines, all of which can now be registered online by citizens from their homes.
By digitizing the entire process, the government aims to inject greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability into the health regulatory framework, marking a significant step toward a more accessible and responsive healthcare ecosystem in Pakistan.
