By Dr Ansab Ali | Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: The Pakistan Association of Alternative Medicine (PAAM) has alleged that a covert attempt by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to introduce what it described as arbitrary regulations for the alternative medicine sector has triggered concern across the industry.

According to PAAM, an upcoming “Pak Health Expo,” organized by a private association at a local hotel in Islamabad, is being used as a platform to push controversial provisions relating to the sector.

PAAM claimed that the final draft of the proposed “Alternative Medicines Rules 2026” had already been prepared and sent to the Law and Justice Division for formal vetting, allegedly without meaningful consultation with key industry stakeholders.

The association questioned the timing of DRAP’s announcement of a consultative session at the expo, saying it was issued only 48 hours before the event. PAAM described the move as an attempt to create an impression of stakeholder consultation after the draft had already been finalized.

The association further alleged that some DRAP officials had contacted homeopathic and Unani pharmaceutical companies and encouraged them to purchase stalls at the private event. PAAM claimed that following a boycott of the expo by established manufacturers, the regulatory session was arranged as part of the event.

Reacting to the development, PAAM Chairman Kashif Aslam Malik strongly rejected what he described as DRAP’s approach and questioned the purpose of holding a consultation at a private venue if the draft had already been forwarded for legal vetting.

“When the final draft has already been sent to the Law and Justice Division for vetting, this sudden drama of a consultative session at a private venue is nothing but an absolute mockery,” Malik said while speaking to journalists.

The PAAM chairman said that sensitive legislation affecting an entire sector should not be legitimized through private event platforms. He called for an official and independent roundtable involving all major industry associations, where the proposed rules could be reviewed transparently.

PAAM leadership said it would resist any attempt to introduce provisions detrimental to the alternative medicine industry through what it termed a “back-door” process or under the cover of an expo.

Kashif Aslam Malik reiterated that what he described as continued bureaucratic interference and regulatory pressure was among the reasons PAAM was advocating the establishment of a dedicated and independent federal ministry for alternative medicine.

He said policies governing traditional and alternative health sciences should be formulated in consultation with qualified experts and stakeholders familiar with the sector.