ISLAMABAD: The government will take strict action against pharmaceutical companies involved in ‘unjustified increases’ in the prices of non-essential drugs following the recent deregulation of prices, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Health, warned on Wednesday.
Speaking to The News on the sidelines of a conference organized by the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer’s Association (PPMA) in Islamabad, Dr Mukhtar clarified that the deregulation of drug prices does not give pharmaceutical companies an open license to increase prices on a weekly or monthly basis. “We have communicated to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to provide a comparative analysis of drug prices after the government relinquished control over pricing,” Dr Mukhtar said. He emphasised that while the pharmaceutical industry is made up of responsible stakeholders, “They know very well that any exploitation through unnecessary profiteering will face strict action from the government.” Dr Mukhtar added that discussions with DRAP and the pharmaceutical industry will be held next month to address key issues, including medicine pricing following deregulation. “We will sit down with pharma companies and DRAP officials to ensure that essential drugs remain affordable for the public,” he said.
The government, he explained, is committed to ensuring transparency and fair pricing, particularly in the face of rising healthcare costs. “If necessary, we will introduce new regulations to curb exploitative practices,” he warned.
Dr Mukhtar highlighted the pharmaceutical sector’s impressive growth, with domestic production now meeting around 90 per cent of Pakistan’s medicinal needs. “Our pharma industry has become a vital pillar of the economy, not just in revenue but also in employment generation,” he said.
He pointed out that the Prime Minister has prioritised the growth of the pharma sector, resulting in significant reforms at DRAP. These reforms include the digitization of regulatory functions, faster licensing and registration processes, and the alignment of local regulations with international standards.
“The government has taken measures to create a transparent regulatory environment, reducing the backlog of pending applications and facilitating business for pharma companies,” Dr Mukhtar noted.
Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector is also moving towards adopting global standards, such as bioequivalence and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, as part of its international commitments. “Implementation of bioequivalence standards has been completed, and we are close to finalising consultations on PIC/S GMP standards,” he said, praising the collaboration with PPMA.
Dr Mukhtar hinted at promising developments after the PM’s visit to China, expected to lead to technology transfer agreements to enhance the country’s pharmaceutical capabilities. He stressed the need for the sector to align with international standards and committed to fostering an environment for research, innovation, and fair practices.