Beirut:Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has introduced a series of measures aimed at enhancing oversight within the pharmaceutical sector, focusing on biosimilar medicines, and addressing corruption concerns.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, Salam outlined four key steps intended to strengthen pharmaceutical regulations and protect patients from ineffective biosimilar medicines. These measures come in response to growing public and media concerns about the integrity of the pharmaceutical industry.
The measures include a judicial investigation into biosimilar medicines that have been imported under exceptional authorizations since 2018, with particular attention to the adequacy of their scientific assessments. Additionally, the Health Ministry has suspended the circulation of biosimilars imported from countries without internationally recognized manufacturing accreditation, a move supported by the Cabinet.
Furthermore, the Health Ministry is collaborating with the World Health Organization to update drug registration standards and conduct a review of existing biosimilars. Prime Minister Salam also confirmed that authorities have conducted raids on pharmaceutical warehouses, seizing noncompliant medicines under judicial oversight.
Salam emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring accountability for any verified violations, reiterating that patient safety and the fight against corruption are top priorities.
