Medicine pricing dispute

Shortage of critical medicine affects patients relying on a consistent supply of medication to manage their conditions

The recent shortage of critical medicine caused by a dispute between pharmaceutical companies and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) over the pricing of essential medicines has left patients in a precarious position, as they struggle to obtain life-saving medications. The shortage has affected patients — suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension — who rely on a consistent supply of medication to manage their conditions.

The dispute highlights the urgent need for regulatory measures to ensure that patients have access to essential medications. This crisis has brought to the forefront the vulnerabilities of the current system, and the dire consequences that can result from it. Pricing medications is a complex issue. It is essential to strike a balance between making medicines affordable for patients and ensuring that pharmaceutical companies have adequate incentives to continue developing new drugs. However, in the case of the recent dispute, it is clear that the needs of patients have been neglected. In such a situation, the government must step in and regulate the pricing of essential medicines to ensure the needs of patients. This can be achieved through price controls, subsidies and other measures that promote affordable access to medicines. Furthermore, it is also essential to promote transparency and accountability in the pharmaceutical industry in order to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. Pharmaceutical companies must be held accountable for ensuring that their products are available and affordable to patients who need them.

Overall, the government must take swift action to regulate the pricing of essential medicines, promote transparency and accountability in the pharmaceutical industry and ensure that patients receive the care they need. This crisis must serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, pharmaceutical companies and the public to prioritise the health and well-being of patients above all else.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2023.

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