The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has dismissed recent claims suggesting a hike in the prices of essential medicines, labeling such reports as unfounded. A spokesperson for DRAP confirmed that prices for insulin and other critical life-saving drugs have remained stable, emphasizing that pharmaceutical companies are prohibited from independently increasing prices of essential medicines.
In a significant development, DRAP highlighted that it has implemented stringent measures to guarantee the continuous availability of medicines nationwide. The authority has issued two important advisories instructing pharmaceutical firms to diversify their sources for raw material procurement to mitigate supply risks.
Notably, around 85 percent of medicines consumed in Pakistan are manufactured domestically. Despite challenges posed by the current environment and potential disruptions in supply routes, the medicine supply chain has remained intact. Industry officials have also reassured that there is no threat of medicine shortages, with most companies maintaining adequate inventories of raw materials and finished products sufficient to meet demand for the next four to six months.
Meanwhile, the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and DRAP have recently formalized a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening collaboration between the two regulatory bodies. This partnership will facilitate the exchange of information and data to enhance oversight of the pharmaceutical sector.
Under the MoU, both organizations will cooperate on policy research, data sharing, and capacity-building initiatives. They plan to develop a comprehensive framework to ensure effective monitoring of medicine pricing and availability throughout the country, thereby safeguarding public access to essential drugs.
