KARACHI:(Web Desk)-Medicine prices, already soaring in Pakistan, are likely to increase further after the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) authorized pharmaceutical companies to determine the prices of 50 percent of medicines.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DRAP, Dr. Ubaid Ullah, confirmed that following the deregulation, the authority to set the prices of half of all medicines now rests with the pharmaceutical companies.
This development is deeply concerning for the public, as the cost of drugs for critical ailments—including heart conditions, chest infections, mental illnesses, diabetes, and various cancers—are already prohibitively high, leaving patients financially vulnerable.
Concerns Over Unnecessary Prescription and Nexus
DRAP officials also acknowledged that doctors unnecessarily prescribe about 70 percent of medicines, which burdens patients with an estimated Rs 50 billion in extra costs.
This situation points to a nexus operating between doctors and pharmaceutical companies/firms to maximize profits. Reports have shown that pharmaceutical companies sponsor trips abroad for doctors to encourage them to prescribe their specific, often more expensive, brands, ensuring the companies receive a larger share of profits.
