The federal government has sought Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s approval to fix the prices of 52 newly registered life saving medicines, as the Health Ministry warns that the drugs cannot be legally marketed until their prices receive final approval.
Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb are expected to meet the prime minister along with senior health officials to seek approval for placing the matter before the federal cabinet.
The Cabinet Committee on Drug Pricing had already approved prices for all 52 medicines on July 24 after reviewing recommendations from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan’s Drug Pricing Committee and Policy Board.
However, the medicines cannot be marketed in Pakistan until the federal cabinet approves the decision and DRAP formally notifies their maximum retail prices. Health ministry officials said the issue was urgent because dozens of newly registered medicines remain unavailable in the regulated market despite the approval of their prices by the drug pricing committee.
The government is also seeking approval for hardship cases involving essential medicines whose manufacturers or importers have requested price increases, arguing that continued supply at existing prices has become difficult. The medicines under the hardship cases include influenza vaccines, morphine used for cancer patients and other drugs facing supply pressures.
The 52 medicines cover treatments for cancer, diabetes, hemophilia, Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune disorders, blood clots, serious infections, intensive care and emergency treatment.
The proposed meeting is expected to include the health and finance ministers, Federal Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri and DRAP Chief Executive Officer Dr. Obaidullah, according to health ministry officials.
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