ISLAMABAD: The prices of 89 essential medicines have finally been reduced by 15pc, six months after a notification in this regard was issued by the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS).

On Tuesday, the ministry announced that the reduced prices had come to force with immediate effect.

On Dec 24, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza told media that the federal cabinet had decided to decrease the prices of the 89 medicines in line with the Pricing Policy of 2018. Under the policy, prices of innovator drugs have to be decreased by 10pc three years after their launch in the market. However, considering all the aspects it was decided to decrease the prices by 15pc, he said.

On De 26, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) accused the ministry of NHS of misleading the nation by claiming that the cabinet had reduced the prices of 89 medicines at a meeting held on Dec 24.

The association claimed that it was a six-month-old decision which was announced again after the cabinet meeting.

Field teams directed to check prices and take action in case of non-compliance, Drap official says

The association also shared a notification issued by the ministry on June 19 in which pharmaceutical companies had been directed to reduce the prices of 89 medicines.

However, on Tuesday, the ministry claimed that the prices of medicines were finally reduced as the notification had been published in the gazette of Pakistan.

Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) Chief Executive Officer Dr Asim Rauf told Dawn that in June an advisory regarding reduction of prices was issued as all pharmaceutical firms and stakeholders needed to be informed in advance.

“However, there was a requirement to get permission from the government before reducing the prices. We got the approval of the government on Dec 24 and it has now been published in the gazette of Pakistan.”

He said it was not correct that the ministry had misled the citizens and claimed that the same standard operating procedure was used while taking such decisions.

“Manufacturers of medicines have to be informed in advance as it involves printing of the new prices and a number of other issues. So an advisory is issued to them to ensure its implementation,” he said.

In reply to a question, Dr Rauf said field teams had been directed to check the prices and take action in case of non-compliance.

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2020