ISLAMABAD: An association of pharmaceutical companies has urged the government to expedite the approvals process for drugs that have been pending for more than a year.

In a letter to the chief executive officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap), the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) said that a number of medicines have not been approved since February 2019, because of which patients have been deprived of treatment for various critical ailments.

These ailments include stroke, the flu, hepatitis B and E, breast cancer, malaria, attention deficit hyperactive disorder and rabies.

The pending drugs and products include Eliquis film-coated tablets, Apixaban tablets, Vaxigrip Textra, Octanate F, Caflam, Ritalian LA capsules, VEMLIDY film-coated tablets, Trimbow inhaler pressurised metered dose, Hecolin, Ibrance capsule, Aubagio film-coated tablets, IMOJEV Japanese encephalitis vaccine, Essentiale Forte capsule, Pyramid and Roan.

According to a statement, the PPMA has asked the Drap CEO to take take up the long-awaited Drug Pricing Committee minutes from February 2019 before the cabinet for approval.

“You will agree with us that these long awaited DPC minutes include the prices of essential products on the list besides new novel molecules,” the letter stated.

“Holding these minutes is directly affecting patients’ quality of life. The same has been brought into your knowledge several times through official meetings as well as official memos,” the PPMA said.

The PPMA has also praised Drap’s handling of the Covid-19 emergency.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2020