Crackdown on medicine profiteers under way

Minister says heavy fines will be imposed, punishments will be given as per DRAP Act

ISLAMABAD:

A crackdown against those people who are selling medicines on higher than the actual price is under way across the country on the direction of caretaker Minister for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination Dr Nadeem Jan.

According to the minister’s spokesperson, major action was taken against profiteers of medicines during an operation in Lahore.

Heparin injection, TB, epilepsy, cancer and other life-saving drugs were being sold in the black, the spokesperson said.

According to details, these medicines were being sold at higher than the approved rate.

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Tegeral epilepsy medicine was being sold for Rs1,300 to Rs1,400 instead of Rs260 per box.

Heparin injection was selling at Rs1,500 to Rs3,000 instead of Rs975 while Rivotril was being sold at Rs700 to Rs800 instead of Rs267 per box.

A box of Rivotril 2mg was being sold for Rs800 to Rs1,000 instead of Rs400. Similarly, a box of Zenax 0.5mg was being sold at Rs1,400 instead of Rs278 while Zenax 1mg box was selling at Rs4,000 instead of Rs502.

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The Ultrawest box was being sold at Rs6,500 instead of Rs3,418. Dr Jan said that he had initiated action against the involved elements under Drap Act.

He said that heavy fines would be imposed and punishments would be given to profiteers as per the Drap Act. He said that the task force of DRAP would take full action against the profiteers.