The caretaker federal administration raised the prices of 146 life-saving medicines on Wednesday, dealing a significant blow to the country’s inflation-stricken citizens.
146 life-saving medicines
According to a warning given today, the decision focuses on vital pharmaceuticals used to treat ailments such as cancer, vaccinations, and antibiotics.
The prices of life-saving medications used to treat heart disease, diabetes, physical pain, epilepsy, and injections have also risen.
It is worth noting that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) provided a summary to the caretaker administration recommending price increases for 262 medications. However, the government chose to make changes only for 146 drugs that are critical for saving lives.
Of the drugs listed for price increases, 116 are scheduled to be implemented by pharmaceutical companies themselves.
In a dramatic policy decision, the government deregulated medicine costs, allowing pharmaceutical corporations to choose their own rates.
This decision highlights a paradigm shift in pharmaceutical pricing regulation, with the potential to reshape the healthcare industry’s dynamics.
According to the plans, prices of medications other than essential medicines on the national list would be exempt from the Drugs Act of 1976, and required adjustments would be made to the Drug Pricing Policy 2018.
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