ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday ordered a ban on the production and use of substandard syringes across the country, stressing the need for stronger measures to curb the spread of infectious diseases.
The directive was issued while the prime minister chaired a meeting to review measures aimed at preventing the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C, according to the PM Office (PMO).
The prime minister directed authorities to take action against individuals and healthcare facilities found using illegal syringes or guilty of criminal negligence in preventing their use.
He also ordered the formation of a special committee of experts to develop recommendations for controlling infectious diseases after consultation with the provinces.
Committee to propose strategy, legal reforms against infectious diseases
The premier instructed the law ministry to propose amendments to the existing legal and regulatory framework to strengthen disease prevention measures.
“Formulating a comprehensive national strategy and ensuring its effective implementation is the solution to the problem,” he said.
The prime minister directed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap), in consultation with the medical devices industry, to devise permanent measures to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases through contaminated or unsafe syringes.
He stressed that the support of international partners remained crucial in efforts to combat infectious diseases and called for the training of medical personnel in line with international standards.
Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2026
