Federal cabinet approves hike in prices of 146 drugs

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet Thursday approved an increase in the Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) of 146 drugs under the hardship category as recommended by the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS).

Chaired by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the cabinet approved the summary which the NHS drafted in the light of recommendations of the Drug Pricing Committee of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).

NHS had recommended increase in the prices of 262 medicines under the hardship category but the federal cabinet approved raise in prices of 146 medicines, including some important antibiotics, anti-epileptic and anti-psychotic drugs, insulin and other essential drugs. The sources said there 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 PDM government in February 2023, seeking an increase in the prices of 262 medicines in the hardship category. The caretaker government was reluctant to increase the prices of these 262 medicines, which include both locally manufactured and imported medicines, causing extreme shortage of essential medicines in the country. The pharmaceutical companies continued to produce these medicines in minimum quantity to avoid registration of drugs falling in the hardship category.

“The federal cabinet on the NHS recommendation has allowed increase in the prices of 146 medicines in view of the increasing rates of raw material in the international market,” a statement issued by the PM media wing said.

Earlier, the caretaker cabinet had deferred increase in the prices of 262 medicines in its meeting on December 13. The prime minister said the government was taking measures for provision of medicines to the people at affordable rates and was devising such policies which could also ensure the progress of pharmaceutical companies. The prime minister also sought proposals for improving the performance of DRAP. He also emphasised action against the hoarding and smuggling of medicines. On finance ministry’s recommendations, the cabinet approved the signing of an MoU between the Competition Commission of Pakistan and State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) China. Under the MOU, exchange of information and technical capacity would increase between the two countries.