Every day 110 children die of diarrhea in Pakistan, most of which could be saved by zinc supplements.
Following the devastating floods in Sindh and Balochistan last year, zinc supplements along with oral rehydration salts (ORS) were given to thousands of children, protecting them from diarrhea and malnutrition.
These views were expressed by the officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and health experts while addressing a seminar on the importance of zinc for health in a local hotel in Islamabad.
The awareness seminar was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and the local pharmaceutical company Pharmavo, which was attended by Federal Health Secretary Iftikhar Shilvani, Director General Health Dr. Basir Achakzai, Chief Executive Officer of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan Asim Rauf, Vice Chancellor of Health Services Academy. Prof. Shehzad Ali Khan, Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Chairman Syed Farooq Bukhari, Pharmivo Managing Director Haroon Qasim, Chief Operating Officer Nadeem Rahmat, Nutrition International Technical Expert Shehzad Afzal, US Pharmacopoeia Representative Waqas Ahmed, Abdul Samad and others addressed the event. What did
Addressing the seminar, Federal Secretary Health Iftikhar Shilwani said that the production of zinc products in pre-qualified plants from the World Health Organization in Pakistan is very welcome, as a result of which Pakistan will be less dependent on the products of foreign pharmaceutical companies.
He said that now domestic and foreign companies will be able to buy zinc products from the local company Pharmivo at a cheaper price instead of importing them, which will not only save valuable foreign exchange but will also give zinc to more children. Diarrhea and its consequent deaths can be avoided.
Director General Health Services Pakistan Dr. Basir Achakzai said that after the floods in Sindh and Balochistan last year, millions of children suffered from diarrhea, but the lives of most of them could be saved by giving them zinc supplements.
Dr. Basir Achakzai further said that zinc is one of the most important anti-diarrheal factors that can be given along with ORS to protect children from diarrhea and malnutrition.
Dr. Basir Achakzai further said that UNICEF and other international donor agencies buy zinc products from multinational pharmaceutical companies, but now after Pharmavo’s declaration as a WHO pre-qualified plant, these products will be available to these organizations for a few rupees. As a result, they can be supplied in most parts of the country.
On this occasion, he advised the pharmaceutical industry to produce TB, HIV and cancer drugs locally because the Global Fund and other international organizations spend 200 to 300 million dollars on the purchase of these drugs. goes into the accounts of international pharmaceutical companies, while the local manufacture of these drugs can bring this valuable foreign exchange to Pakistan.
Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan Chief Executive Officer Asim Rauf while congratulating local pharmaceutical company Pharmavo’s plant for being WHO pre-qualified expressed hope that now the export of Pakistani medicines and products will increase abroad.
He said that Pakistani pharmaceutical companies exported drugs and products worth 713 million US dollars last year and it is hoped that after the progress made in Pharmavo, the export of Pakistani products will reach one billion dollars.
Health Services Academy Islamabad Vice Chancellor Professor Shehzad Ali Khan said that diarrhea is the second leading cause of death among children and unfortunately 50 percent of children who die from diarrhea are from Pakistan, India and Nigeria.
Prof. Shahzad Ali Khan said that most of the diarrheal deaths are preventable, which includes providing clean water, and zinc supplements along with ORS to children with diarrhea.
He also emphasized on increasing cooperation between the local pharmaceutical industry and medical universities.
Haroon Qasim, managing director of Pharmavo, said that his company is trying to establish a healthy society in Pakistan, pre-qualifying the manufacturing plant from the World Health Organization is also a link in this chain.
Haroon Qasim further said that his company believes in establishing and enhancing ethical values in the health sector and in this regard, his organization believes in obtaining the guidelines and certification of international organizations including the World Health Organization.
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