Cabinet approves price hike for 146 drugs

Islamabad: The federal cabinet has approved an increase in the Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) of 146 drugs under the hardship category.

According to the details, the decision was taken during a meeting of the cabinet, chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.

The cabinet approved summary that the National Health Services (NHS) drafted in recommendations of the Drug Pricing Committee of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).

NHS recommended an increase in the prices of 262 medicines under the hardship category but the federal cabinet approved a rise in prices of 146 medicines, including some important antibiotics, anti-epileptic and anti-psychotic drugs, insulin and other essential drugs.

Therefore, it would be 25 to 125 percent increase in the prices of these 146 medicines. It is worth mentioning that 70 pharmaceutical companies wrote a letter to the government in February 2023, seeking an increase in the prices of 262 medicines.

The caretaker government was reluctant to increase the prices of these 262 medicines, which include both locally manufactured and imported medicines, causing an extreme shortage of essential medicines in the country.

The premier also sought proposals for improving the performance of DRAP. He also emphasized action against the hoarding and smuggling of medicines.

Earlier, the prime minister said that the government was taking measures for the provision of medicines to the people at affordable rates and was devising such policies which could also ensure the progress of pharmaceutical companies.