Summary
- The Pakistani government has asked pharmaceutical companies to explain steep increases in the prices of deregulated medicines after concerns over rising healthcare costs.
- The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has issued show cause notices to 37 pharmaceutical companies that raised the prices of certain medicines by more than 50%.
- Sources said that 12 of the 37 companies have already submitted replies regarding price increases for 35 medicines.
The Pakistani government has asked pharmaceutical companies to explain steep increases in the prices of deregulated medicines after concerns over rising healthcare costs.
According to sources the prices of some deregulated medicines have increased by as little as 76.8% and by as much as 1,621%, prompting government action.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has issued show cause notices to 37 pharmaceutical companies that raised the prices of certain medicines by more than 50%.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said he had directed officials to issue notices to the companies.
They have been asked to explain why they increased medicine prices by such large amounts.
Sources said that 12 of the 37 companies have already submitted replies regarding price increases for 35 medicines.
Two companies have requested more time to respond.
However 23 companies have not yet replied to the notices. Reminder notices have now been sent to them.
Officials say the government will decide its next steps after reviewing responses from all the pharmaceutical companies.
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