KATHMANDU – Dr. Tosima Karki, a Member of Parliament elected from Lalitpur Constituency No. 3 representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has expressed confidence that the upcoming government will prioritize necessary amendments to the outdated Drug Act.
Speaking at an interaction program titled “Nepal Pharm Expo and Self-Reliance in Medicines: Policy Issues” held in Kathmandu on Tuesday, she said it is not possible to provide modern and time appropriate medical services while relying on a 47-year-old Drug Act, and therefore amendments are necessary.
She said, “The government cannot guarantee that we can provide medical treatment suitable for today’s time while carrying a 47-year-old Drug Act. Therefore, the upcoming government will prioritize and make the necessary amendments to this law.”
According to her, even basic matters in the health sector have remained stalled due to a lack of political will and unethical practices. She claimed that an RSP-led government would play the role of a service-oriented government in the health sector.
She said, “Even simple issues in the health sector have remained unresolved due to a lack of willpower and unethical games. When leadership works with moral strength and commitment to service, all these problems can be solved. The upcoming RSP government will fulfill the role of a servant government in the health sector.”
Karki also stated that self-reliance in medicines is not just a business matter but a sensitive issue related to the safety of citizens. She emphasized that every citizen should have access to affordable, inexpensive, and quality medicines, and the state must ensure this.
She said, “Self-reliance in medicines is not merely a commercial aspect. It is linked to the safety of citizens. Every citizen should receive accessible, affordable, and quality medicines, and the state must ensure this. Since it is a sensitive matter, government bodies cannot view it only as a business activity.”
According to her, it is not enough to test the quality of medicines only during production; monitoring is also necessary to ensure that the medicine maintains its quality until the point when patients actually consume it.
She added that quality testing and effective regulation are necessary in all processes, from the storage of medicines to their distribution.
