Pakistan adds counterfeiting deterrents in new drug law

Pakistan's president Asif Ali Zardari has strengthened anti-counterfeiting measures as part of a law creating an autonomous drug regulator.

Passage of the Drug Regulatory Authority Bill 2012 into law is intended to move Pakistan past the scandals that shook its pharmaceutical industry this year. As part of an attempted fresh start, Pakistani legislators want to stop the rise of counterfeit and substandard medicines.

Local newspaper The Express Tribune reports that the law allows for 'stern action' to be taken against producers of counterfeit drugs. The clampdown comes as the Pakistani president calls on local companies to adopt global quality control standards.

Enforcement of the law falls on the newly created Drug Regulatory Authority, which was called for in the wake of the contaminated anti-malarial scandal that swept Pakistan earlier this year.

The president is due to appoint the chief executive of the regulator after conferring with members of the new 16-strong Drug Policy Board.