Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW)

PEW demands thorough review of drug registration process

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Safety and efficacy of some registered drugs questioned
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Thursday asked the government to review process of registration of drugs to ensure transparency which is in the interest of the masses.
Pakistan has become a haven for pharmaceuticals due to weak regulations, repeated artificial shortages of critical drugs and connivance between drug manufacturers, doctors, and authorities, it said.
The pharmaceutical industry has been enjoying a bonanza based on exploitation of patients, dishonest marketing practices, and selling drugs banned in many countries, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
He stated that some people are dumping deregistered drugs in the country while some local and multinational companies have been allowed to produce and market banned drugs.
Dr Murtaza Mughal said that selling medicine after changing its name and hiking price by two to five hundred per cent after a slight change in the active ingredients of a drug has become a normal practice.
Changing name and ingredients make it obligatory for a pharmaceutical to get the ‘new’ medicine registered swiftly and push practitioners to prescribe it to patients which has become an effortless process.

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Unethical practices of pharma industry hindering its growth

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Stricter ethical guidelines in medical profession demanded
PEW reminds Govt of its responsibility to protest masses
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Monday said objectionable practices of the pharmaceutical industry have been hindering its own growth while resulting in lost opportunities.
There is a wide scope of expansion of the pharma industry but its focus on maximising profits through unprincipled commercial practices has restrained its development, it said.
The pharma industry knows how to keep the authorities happy and how to win the cooperation of the doctors which has resulted in immense public distrust, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
He said that pharma is one the most profit generating sectors in Pakistan yet they want an increase in prices of over 99 per cent medicine to boost their profits and give more kickbacks to officials as well as medical practitioners.
The situation has gone to an extent that many doctors and specialists with good repute would prefer prescribing low quality medicine to patients to ensure underhand benefits from manufacturers, said Dr Murtaza Mughal.

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Trade concessions fruitless sans export policy: PEW

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Lack of coordination among ministries marring int’l trade
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Friday said trade concessions from west will be of little use in absence of an export policy which is yet to be announced by the government.
Government wants to promote international trade and has inked favourable deals with some countries but volume of exports hasn’t witnessed any boost because of conflicting policies, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
He said that different concerned department are facing lack of coordination, cooperation and harmony which is casting negative shadow on exports.
Moreover, exporters avoid value addition and prefer to sell raw material as well as semi-finished goods which are keeping export earnings below 25 billion dollars since years.

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Economic performance claims fabricated: PEW

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Patronising elite will lead country to a default: Dr Mughal
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Monday said government claims about better economic performance are false and fabricated.
IMF has also twisted facts by praising the so-called reforms by the economic managers working for the PML-N led government, it said.
How the economy can get off the ground when no serious efforts have been initiated except burdening the poor, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
Pushing millions below the poverty line will never help government advance economy or its agenda, he added.
Dr Murtaza Mughal said that growth rate remains dismal, borrowings, circular debt, inflation, budget deficit, interest rate, poverty and unemployment has been rising while the mass of underground economy has been increasing.

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PEW lauds PM for for supporting amry

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Munawar’s remarks stained his image: PESA’s spokesman
Remarks seems to be part of conspiracy to damage Pakistan: Brig Masud
The spokesman of Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association (PESA) Brig Masud ul Hassan has said that the statement of Amir of Jamat-e-Islami Syed Munawar Hassan regarding martyrs of amry has disheartened many while tarnishing his image.
Whole nation has reposed the confidence in the defence forces after the controversial remarks which is encouraging, he added.
Talking to Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President of the Pakistan Economy Watch, Brig Masud ul Hassan said that the move seems part of an international conspirqacy aimed at weakning an organised institution.
He said that military is not battling Afghan Taliban but the Pakistani Taliban which enjoys support of enemy countries.

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PEW’s Point of view

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Govt efforts for alleviating gas crisis lauded

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Early formulation of Shale Gas Policy demanded
Five years of empty talk, power struggle damaged oil, gas sector
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Thursday lauded the government for its serious initiatives to encourage foreign investors with an aim to mitigate gas crisis.
Government is trying best to add maximum amount of gas to the national gas grid as soon as possible to help masses and economy, said Dr Murtaza Mughal, President of the PEW.
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources in helping local as well as foreign investors which is restoring confidence of the business community, he added.
Dr Murtaza Mughal said that there would be no need for load shedding for industrial and CNG sectors if gas theft and illegal use is contained.
Similarly, early resolution of disputes between exploration companies and the government departments would help add additional gas in the system, he said adding that those who are confusing the nation on import of Iranian gas are enemies of Pakistan.

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Drone strike a calculated conspiracy against Pakistan: Pervaiz Khattak

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PTI ensuring rapid progress through reforms: Chief Minister KPK
Eradication of terror linked to serious efforts, economic opportunities
Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Pervaiz Khattak on Sunday said US drone attack which killed TTP chief Hakimullah is not an ordinary coincidence but part of well-orchestrated conspiracies against Pakistan.
He said that peace in the region, especially Pakistan, is against the US interests therefore it intentionally targeted TTP leader to sabotage peace efforts.
The cowardly attack came at a the time when Government authorities and Taliban were ready to sit together for resolving the issues through talks when reveal the US demonic designs, the CM Pervaiz Khattak said while taking to Dr Murtaza Mughal, President of the PEW.
He said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been ensuring speedy progress in the province through reforms.
A powerful and independent Accountability Commission will start functioning in the province soon which will be able to arrest anyone including the chief minister, he added.
PTI has planned to provide free education and healthcare facilities to all without any discrimination while computerisation of all land records would bring an end to complaints of corruption.

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CNG suspention plan to inflict irrevocable harm on economy, masses: PEW

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People paying price of failed policies, inaction: Farida Rashid
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Friday said governemnt’s plan to shutdown CNG filling stations for three months during winter is unfeasible in the prevailing circumstances as it an lead country to bankruptcy.
The unwise decision will create serious problems like exchange rate volatility, reduced forex reserves, unemployment of millios, and runaway inflation, said Dr Murtaza Mughal, President of the PEW.
Talking to Farida Rashid, former president IWCCI and other women entreprunars, he said that the decision will primilarly benefit oil import mafia and create problems for the troubled masses.
Dr Murtaza Mughal said that four millions vehicles using CNG would be forced to use costly imported fuel in case of CNG closure.

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