A Dwindling Industry: PPMA dismisses proposed drug policy

KARACHI: The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) dismissed the new proposed drug policy on Thursday. The health ministry and the drug regulatory authority of Pakistan had ignored the recommendations of the PPMA before sending the proposed drug policy draft to the prime minister for approval, said the association’s spokesperson. He regretted that since 15 years, no mention of a raise in the cost of medicine was made in the drug policy. “The crisis-hit pharmaceutical industry will face more losses if prices of medicines are not raised,” he said in a statement. He added that about 100 pharmaceutical factories had been closed during the last 15 years and it was feared that more will face closure. “The delay in the price raise will cause shortage of medicines in the market and will ultimately boost the sale of substandard and smuggled medicines which will risk the health of millions of patients in the country,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2015.