DRAP notifies increase in prices of 94 medicines

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) on Wednesday increased the prices of 94 medicines including those used for fever, headache, heart disease, malaria, diabetes, sore throat and flu.

A notification has also been issued by the regulatory body in this regard.

In September, the federal government decided to allow pharmaceutical companies to increase prices of 94 lifesaving drugs in order to end the chronic shortage of these medicines in the market.

The medicines whose prices have been increased also include antibiotics, abdominal pain, medicines for eye, ear, tooth, mouth and blood infection, skin diseases and post-childbirth drugs.

“To address long-term shortage of some key or lifesaving medicines, the federal cabinet has allowed rationalising prices of drugs that had been reported to be in short supply due to unrealistically low prices,” Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan said.

Of these, 68 medicines are local and 26 are imported. The price hike was reportedly unavoidable because of the aforementioned reasons. But, it is said that pharmaceutical companies will not be allowed to raise prices any further until June 2021.

The pharmaceutical sector of Pakistan is unhappy as far as government support is concerned despite the recent hike in prices of around 94 lifesaving drugs, which has sparked criticism of the current leadership.

Industry stakeholders are of the view that multiple loopholes exist with regard to certain policies, research and infrastructure upgrade in the sector.

The stakeholders have urged the government to address the issues plaguing the sector on war footing and take measures to develop the industry which could, in turn, benefit the national economy in a far better way.

(With input from News Desk)