The Punjab government has decided to equip drug inspectors with body cameras as part of efforts to strengthen field monitoring, improve accountability and address complaints against officials more effectively.
The decision was taken during the 303rd meeting of the Quality Control Board, chaired by Punjab Minister for Health and Population Khawaja Imran Nazir.
The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Capt. (Retd.) Muhammad Aurangzeb, Additional Secretary Qalandar Khan, Additional Secretary Drugs Muhammad Sohail, Director General Health Dr Moez, the Director General Drug Controller and representatives of pharmaceutical companies.
Body Cameras to Strengthen Drug Inspections
During the meeting, Minister Imran Nazir said stronger monitoring required a more effective system for documenting inspections and enforcement activities.
He said the use of body cameras could help improve transparency during field operations and enable authorities to deal with complaints in a timely manner.
The minister also reviewed progress on decisions taken during the previous Quality Control Board meeting and directed officials to maintain a zero-tolerance policy against quacks and manufacturers of fake or substandard medicines.
Strict Action Against Fake Medicines
Officials were instructed to ensure pharmaceutical companies strictly follow applicable quality control regulations.
The minister also directed the relevant authorities to regularly share reports on enforcement activities with the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
The move is aimed at strengthening coordination between provincial enforcement authorities and the federal drug regulator while improving oversight of medicine quality across Punjab.
Imran Nazir reiterated that authorities would not compromise on the quality and safety of medicines, stressing the need for continued monitoring of pharmaceutical companies and action against violations.
The introduction of body cameras is expected to give drug inspectors an additional tool for documenting field inspections while providing authorities with a clearer record when complaints or disputes arise.
