LAHORE: The Pharma Bureau representatives have expressed resentment over the new drug pricing policy proposed by the Policy Board of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).

The DRAP had proposed 30 per cent cut on the life-saving and other drugs.

The Pharma Bureau, which is research-based multinational pharmaceutical companies, urged the government, Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and State Minister Saira Afzal Tarar to avert a potential drug crisis by formulating a committee to review the draft drug pricing policy.

On the other hand, Pakistan Young Pharmacists Association welcomed the DRAP’s decision saying that it would help improve health status of the patients.

Talking to media at a local hotel on Monday, Bureau Chairman Shahab Rizvi said the policy did not reflect the numerous discussions held between the industry and the government over the past eight years. Pharma Bureau Co-chairman Arshad Saeed Khan was also present on the occasion.

“We would like the committee to ensure that the policy incorporates the predictability, transparency, quality, and product availability to encourage investments into quality manufacturing, incentivises exports, and also prevents unscrupulous/unregistered sector from flooding market with fake and substandard products,” Shahab Rizvi said.

He said the Bureau had already conveyed serious reservations on this draft to the government.

He said the present draft of the policy if approved would result in severe shortages of essential and life-saving medicines (insulins, anti-cancer drugs, TB, anti-epileptic, vaccines, polio, antibiotics, cardiovasculars, paracetamol, etc).

Moreover, it would deprive the patients of the benefits of the latest researches as no further introduction of new therapies would be possible and quality products would be replaced by sub-standard/fake medicines.

“We believe if the government introduces a transparent market-oriented pricing policy for the pharmaceutical industry, it will create the stability and predictability necessary to stimulate investment and growth in this important sector,” Mr Arshad said.

Pakistan Young Pharmacist Association representative Mohammad Usman said the DRAP took a good initiative after a long time in the best interest of the poor patients.

He said his association would put pressure on DRAP in order to get the policy implemented in letter and spirit and if the policy was reviewed, pharmacists would take to streets.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2015

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