Pakistan Prohibits Prescription of Nutraceuticals

PAKISTAN: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has backed the federal cabinet and Ministry of Health’s decision to prohibit the prescription of nutraceuticals. 

Despite opposition from the health ministry, PMDC has directed all healthcare professionals to refrain from prescribing multivitamins, minerals, and food supplements to patients.

Compliance Directive

A notification issued by PMDC highlighted its endorsement of the federal cabinet’s decision and directed all concerned authorities to ensure compliance. The directive comes after the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination instructed PMDC to enforce the prohibition on prescribing vitamins, multi-vitamins, minerals, and over-the-counter products.

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Despite the directives, healthcare professionals continue to prescribe nutraceutical products, arguing their necessity in certain medical conditions. Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, a paediatrician, questioned the restrictions, emphasizing the essential need for micronutrients in treating conditions like diarrhea and pregnancy-related complications.

Former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health, Dr. Faisal Sultan, expressed reservations regarding the ban, citing scientific uses of vitamins and minerals in treating various ailments. 

He emphasized the importance of vitamins in conditions like measles, alcohol use disorders, and tuberculosis treatment.

Calls for Clear Guidelines

Several healthcare professionals and experts have criticized the blanket ban on prescribing nutraceuticals and urged the health ministry to provide clear guidelines. 

They advocate for a regulatory framework similar to that of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Health Services (NHS) of the UK to ensure appropriate prescription practices.

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