Senate health committee urges strict enforcement of breastfeeding protection laws, while DRAP confirms infant formula falls under the category of alternative medicines.
Islamabad, November 3, 2026: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has clarified that formula milk is regulated under the category of alternative medicines, reinforcing concerns over its commercial promotion as an ordinary milk product.
The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has called for strict enforcement of existing legislation to protect breastfeeding and prevent misleading advertisements targeting parents of infants and young children.
The committee, chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti at Parliament House, reviewed the implementation of previous recommendations concerning the regulation and advertisement of formula milk for children aged one to 36 months.
The chairman expressed concern that a stay order obtained by Nestle from the Islamabad High Court had affected the implementation of directions requiring formula milk advertisements to carry the disclaimer: “Mother’s Milk is the Best for a Child.”
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) informed the committee that the disclaimer had been broadcast on 29 television channels, while efforts were continuing to ensure its transmission on the remaining channels. It had also issued three letters to the Pakistan Broadcasters Association.
Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal said instructions had been issued to prepare an advertisement highlighting the importance of breastfeeding.
Senator Shahzaib Durrani stressed that formula milk should not be promoted as ordinary milk and that public awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding must be strengthened.
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri called for a review of existing nutritional regulations, warning against misleading claims linking formula milk with children’s growth and development.
Senator Anusha Rehman Ahmed Khan highlighted the legal framework governing formula milk advertisements, referring to Section 7 of the relevant Ordinance and the need for regulatory directives to follow proper legal procedures.
The Council of Islamic Ideology also informed the committee that it had submitted a detailed response supporting breastfeeding as essential for children’s healthy development.
The chairman directed the ministry and PEMRA to implement the relevant parliamentary legislation fully, adding that the committee would support further legislative measures if necessary.
Other healthcare issues discussed
The committee also examined concerns raised by graduates in Microbiology, Biotechnology and Biochemistry over their exclusion from professional recognition and registration under the Allied Health Professional Council Act, 2022.
Officials informed members that approximately 20,000 individuals could be affected. The committee expressed concern over the suspension or potential loss of employment of professionals already working in relevant fields.
A special committee headed by Senator Rubina Khalid was formed to examine the issue and recommend a practical solution. The federal health minister proposed an accreditation mechanism to assess affected individuals’ qualifications, professional experience and academic credit hours.
The committee also reviewed the Burn Care Centre at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). Officials clarified that the facility had not been closed and that additional facilities, including 20 beds for burn patients, were being introduced. The centre has two operation theatres and approximately 21 postgraduate trainees.
Separately, the committee discussed faculty shortages at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), particularly in Basic Medical and Dental Sciences.
Although the university has approval for 100 BDS seats, only 50 students are currently enrolled because of infrastructure and faculty constraints.
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal assured the committee that faculty upgrades and additional recruitment would be completed within 60 days to address the shortages.
The chairman directed the ministry to resolve staffing and infrastructure deficiencies on a priority basis to enable the university to utilise its approved capacity without compromising educational standards.