Sindh minister slams Centre for allowing rise in medicine prices

Sindh Health and Population Welfare Minister Dr Azra Fazl Pechuho condemned on Wednesday the federal government's approval for increase in medicine prices.

In a video statement released on the day, she said, "It seems like the federal government considers itself helpless before pharmaceutical companies," and dubbed the move to allow an increase in the prices of 94 life-saving drugs "injustice with people."

She said when political parties promise safety in exchange for votes, the also commit to protecting people's health.

"However, the federal government has failed to fulfill the responsibility of ensuring people's safety," the minister added.

Pechuho regretted the federal government not negotiating with pharmaceutical companies on the matter and making them agree to their terms.

According to her, the Centre could have given subsidies on medicines or waived off taxes to contain medicine prices.