Government Denies Approving Drug Price Hike

The govt has denied any drug price hike as reported by the spokesperson for the ministry. This price hike was 7% to 10% and was approved under the Drug Pricing Policy 2018 without the government approving it.

Not only the govt has denied approving the drug price hike, the federal government in an attempt to sync the policy and Drug Act 1976 has revised the drug policy. This will help in eradicating any kind of legal gap.

The policy after revision allows the government to exclude any genre of drugs from the annual increase of price. The government has created a new step-in clause in Drug Pricing Policy. Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) recently notified the changes made by the government to Drug Pricing Policy 2018.

Read More: Dexamethasone The New COVID-19 Drug Will Be Used In Pakistan

It is important to mention that Dexamethasone vanished from the market overnight and was sold at a high very high price. Special team was appointed by the Federal commissioners to watch over the matter.

Another important event that occured a few days back was the shortage of medicines declared by the prestigious Pakistan Pharmaceutical  Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA). They reported that medicines were falling short in the market. Moreover, the PPMA also reported that the government was reported before the time about the shortage of medicines.

Read More: PPMA Declares Shortage of Medicines

However, the government has also taken measures like developed their COVID-19 testing kits and ventilators. The COVID-19 testing kits have already been approved by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).

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