NEED FOR FULLY ALIGNED HIGH PERFORMANCE TEAM at PPMA

Counterproductive controversy over Secretary-General Issue at Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA)

There is news of a full blown power struggle between PPMA members in Rawalpindi and the elected representatives of the PPMA over the appointment of the PPMA secretary-general, a paid position decided upon by the PPMA Central Executive Committee. 

Through a proper process advertised in the national media, candidates were shortlisted and the appointment made. The PPMA members in Rawalpindi have revolted against this appointment because the new candidate does not meet with their approval. 

It is said that the former PPMA secretary-general spent more time running personal errands of the PPMA members in Rawalpindi, being absent from work on a regular basis and not attending to the duties of his office.

The state of affairs in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector is quite pathetic. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), responsible for monitoring the quality of medicines in the country, is not recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and resultantly Pakistani companies are unable to export to developed countries. 

The PPMA has a huge role to play in advising and assisting the National Health Services (NHS) Minister Saira Afzal Tarar to set up a credible drug testing laboratory which is mandatory for recognition by the WHO.  

In an operating environment best described by the acronym VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous,) PPMA’s survival hinges on getting its act together with members aligning themselves in pursuit of the greater national interest. 

The greater national interest today demands that the wealth producers of Pakistan produce more wealth, especially of the kind that generates foreign exchange, and strengthen Pakistan’s balance of payments position, and earn for our nation greatly needed stability, respect and dignity in the international community of nations. 

To achieve this the first and foremost requirement is for us to bury our petty differences born of conflicting private agendas that are impeding the pursuit and realization of the collective good.