Senate Panel Orders Action to Enforce Formula Milk Advertising Laws
The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has called for strict enforcement of existing laws to protect breastfeeding and prevent the commercial promotion of formula milk.
The committee directed the Ministry of National Health Services and PEMRA to ensure implementation of relevant parliamentary legislation.
Key Points:
- A stay order from the Islamabad High Court has temporarily affected the implementation of directions requiring a breastfeeding disclaimer in formula milk advertisements.
- PEMRA has broadcast the disclaimer on 29 television channels and is working to ensure its transmission on the remaining channels.
- Numerous countries, including Bangladesh, have adopted restrictions on formula milk advertisements.
- Resources spent on formula milk promotion could be redirected towards improving maternal nutrition.
- The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) regulates formula milk under the category of alternative medicines.
Concerns:
- Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri stressed the need to review existing nutritional regulations and cautioned against misleading claims regarding formula milk and child growth.
- Senator Anusha Rehman Ahmed Khan highlighted the legal and procedural aspects of PEMRA's authority, emphasizing the need for clear directives from the concerned ministry.
- Senator Shahzaib Durrani emphasized that formula milk should not be promoted as an alternative to breastfeeding.