The authorities of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan have suspended operations of more than 900 medicine importing or manufacturing companies. The suspended companies include 817 from Afghanistan and over 100 from abroad. The move comes as part of crackdown on poor quality medicines and drug smuggling, according to the Public Health Ministry. Meanwhile, the National Medicine and Health Products Regulatory Authority (NMHRA) warned the firms to produce documents within one month or get shut down permanently. Authorities have launched efforts to seize medicines related to the suspended firms and operations of about 100 pharmacies have been suspended. “Our personnel in coordination with the private sector have started collecting their medicines. Hundred tonnes of medicines have been seized so far and the process continues,” said an Official at NMHRA.
