ISLAMABAD: Members of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services on Wednesday asked the government to ensure that Victoza, a medicine used by diabetics, is available in the market.

The committee took up the unavailability of the medicine after diabetologists had brought the matter to its notice.

They in their letters to the committee members said the medicine was essential for the Type II sugar patients but it had vanished from the market.

The meeting was chaired by Senator Zafar Ali Shah.

They requested the committee to make sure that the medicine was available in the market as it was very effective in controlling sugar in the body of a patient.

The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) country adviser, Khalid Saeed Bukhari, while talking to Dawn said the body of Type II patient produced insulin, a secretion from pancreas which controls sugar, but it is not sufficient a patient.

Victoza is essential for those suffering from Type II diabetes

“Victoza slows down the digestion of food and with it the requirement of insulin is also reduced. It is very effective medicine in not only controlling sugar but weight as well and a number of Type II patients use it,” he said.

The members of the committee were informed that the price of the medicine for one month dose is Rs5,375, even then it was not available in the market.

Senator Karim Ahmed Khawaja from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)said that medicine had deliberately been removed from the market because some elements wanted to increase its price.

He asked the government to make some alternative arrangements to make the medicine available in the market.

“It is a medicine of public importance and it should be available at much lesser price,” he said.

The committee chairman, Zafar Ali Shah, said if some company shows interest in manufacturing the medicine, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) should facilitate it.

“Those who earn Rs4,000 per month cannot purchase the medicine at such a high rate. It is unfortunate that health and education have been devolved. Both sectors are of public importance and they should be with the federal government,” he said.

DRAP Amendment Bill

While discussing the DRAP Amendment Bill 2013 the committee was informed that the draft bill was almost ready and would be sent to the cabinet next month.

After getting approval from the cabinet, the draft bill will be sent to the parliament for approval.

Secretary National Health Services Sheikh Ayub told the meeting that 40 persons had been shortlisted among them a suitable person would be appointed as DRAP chief executive officer after interview.

He said a summary in this regard would be moved to the prime minister to seek permission for holding interview of all 40 candidates.

Talking to Dawn, Zafar Ali Shah said the increase in medicine prices was intolerable.

“It is the duty of the government to provide wheat, water and medicine to every person because they are basic necessities of life. Proper attention will be given to health sector to resolve issues of the people,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 30th , 2014