ISLAMABAD: The prime minister (PM) of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, has taken a notice of the complaints regarding the prices of the registered allopathic drugs, which have been increased by as much as 30 per cent; despite his clear ordered that the prices of the medicines cannot be increased.
The premier has ordered the minister of national health services, Saira Afzal Tarar, to investigate the issue and submit a report within a week, Dawn has learnt.
It is pertinent to mention that on 27th of November 2013, through a notification, the drug regulatory authority of Pakistan (Drap) increased the prices of the medicines, except the life saving drugs, by 15 per cent. The very next day, on 28th November, the prime minister took a notice of the situation and instructed Drap to withdraw the notification, to which they complied. However, 16 pharmaceutical companies went to the Sindh High Court, and obtained a stay order.
An officer of the ministry, requesting not to be identified, said that despite clear orders of the PM, the pharmaceuticals had increased the prices of most of the medicines, including life saving drugs, but the ministry and Drap did not take any strict action against the companies.
The young pharmacists’ association (YPA) also sent a letter, which is available with Dawn, to the prime minister, in which it was stated that, according to their market survey, the total impact of the increase in the prices of registered allopathic medicines was around 30 per cent.
The letter also says that the ministry of national health services claims that no price hike has taken place in the market. It is also noted that no case of the price increase in made after 27th November 2013, when the notification released by Drap, which was later cancelled by the PM.
“Drap and ministry on national health services only deceived the apex court, the prime minister and the poor Pakistanis, by announcing of withdrawing the price increase. Till today, there is no employee of Drap, and the rules are not made. The price increase notification could not be issued without the formation of the rules,” says the letter.
An official of the PM office, requesting anonymity, said that the premier has taken strict notice of the media reports regarding the increase in the prices of the medicines.
“Premier said that he had clearly instructed that the prices of the medicines should not be increased, because the poor people cannot afford to buy costly drugs and they also have the right to live,” he said.
He added that the prime minister has also asked the ministry to sort out the reason for the increase in the prices and identify the culprits.The pharmaceutical companies have handed over the lists of the new prices to the wholesale dealers and the medical stores. According to the notification available with Dawn, the pharmaceutical company Sanofi has handed over the new pricelist of 53 medicines on 2nd January 2014, Abbot Laboratories has revised its prices on 17th January 2014.
Pfizer Pakistan Limited has also revised the prices of the medicines. The document claims that the prices have been revised under the Statutory Regulatory Order 1002 (SRO), dated 27th November 2013.
The secretary coordination of YPA, Dr Nabeela Latif, said that every Pakistani has the fundamental right of access to medicines, which is denied by the price increase.
The multinational companies are charging very high prices for medicines in Pakistan, and have been showing it as the research and development (R&D) costs, she claimed.
The press secretary to PM, Mohiuddin Wani, while talking to Dawn confirmed the premier has taken the notice of the price increase.
“The minister of national health services has been instructed to give a detailed report within one week, explaining why and how the prices of the medicines were increased,” he said.