Healthcare conundrum

For the last several months, healthcare authorities, pharmacists and patients have been raising concerns over the high prices of vital medicines and medicine shortages across the country. The situation is now coming to a head primarily due to the negligent attitude of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and its failure to fulfil appropriate paperwork for medicine shipments. Many pharmaceutical companies were compelled to cease operations amid the deteriorating economic conditions, which has further exacerbated the crisis. Taking advantage of this situation, hoarders and black marketeers are now selling life-saving drugs at exorbitant rates.

Low and middle-income groups seem to have been caught up in a maze with no signs of any respite. Medicines for physical and mental conditions take lesser precedence over daily essentials such as food and transportation. Health officials claim that this is causing serious complications and worsening patients’ conditions. Equipment and medicine shortages have also hindered hospitals’ ability to carry out critical procedures and surgeries. Poor and vulnerable patients, particularly those in rural and remote areas, will suffer the most per usual.

The apathy of the relevant authorities is not unexpected. Nonetheless, the prevailing health crisis begs the question of what the government’s course of action would be to tackle the situation. Our debilitated healthcare system is already burdened with several challenges on many fronts. DRAP’s callousness will push it over the edge leaving millions to die. The caretaker government must intervene and urge DRAP to urgently restore order in the market. In addition, DRAP’s role and responsibilities must be reconsidered and readjusted for long-term market stability. Besides appointing competent officials, DRAP’s focus should be shifted towards regulating the industry, ensuring fair competition and improving the quality of medicines instead of simply controlling prices.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2023.

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