DRAP Urges PTA to Block Websites and Social Media Pages Over Illegal Online Sale and Promotion of Medicines

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has formally requested the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to immediately block multiple websites and social media pages involved in the online promotion and illegal sale of medicines.
DRAP has identified several online platforms actively selling drugs and has expressed serious concern over the unregulated trade. The authority warned that the online sale of unregistered and smuggled medicines poses a significant threat to public health.
According to DRAP, the promotion of prescription-only medicines on social media and websites — without any valid prescription — is encouraging self-medication among the public. The sale of medicines related to sexual health, weight loss, and mental health conditions has been declared completely illegal under Pakistani drug laws.
“Promotion and sale of medicines without due authorization is a clear violation of drug laws and endangers public health,” DRAP stated. The authority emphasized that such advertisements are misleading people into unsafe self-treatment.
In an official communication sent to PTA, DRAP has called for swift action to block access to these illegal platforms to protect citizens from potential harm.