Dexamethasone tablets run short in market

E-Paper | May 07, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The capital administration on Wednesday have started taking action against shortage of life saving drugs, which are reportedly helpful in curing Covid-19, Dawn has learnt.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat stated that action was taken after receiving complaints about shortage of Dexamethasone tablets, which have reportedly been used to cure critical Covid-19 patients.

“It is a lifesaving drug and available in markets at cheap rates. Since the health ministry, expert doctors and BBC announced that the drug can save a Covid-19 patient’s life, it has disappeared from the market. Over disappearance of the drug, a survey was conducted and a report was also sought from police in this regard,” he stated, adding that teams were constituted to check whether the medicine was being hoarded.

“A criminal case will be registered against those involved in hoarding, profiteering and black marketing of the medicine. Conviction of the crime will lead to three years in prison. There is a complete ban on selling the medicine without doctors’ prescription, to avoid hoarding and online black marketing; renowned pharmacies have been directed to ensure availability of the medicine in the capital,” he added.

A notification issued from Mr Shafqaat’s office stated: “The district administration has taken serious notice of reported shortage of the medicine, Tab Dexamethasone [all strengths] in some pharmacies. In this regard, all the pharmacies shall ensure uninterrupted supply and availability of the medicine at prevalent rates. The medicine shall be sold only to consumers with valid prescription, with the stamp and signature of a registered medical practitioner along with Pakistan Medical and Dental Association [PMDC’s] registration number on it. Moreover, for every sale pharmacies and retailers shall keep a copy of the prescription for the purpose of record and audit by assistant commissioners.”

Sale of the medicine at exorbitant rates, sale in bulk or its artificial shortage by hoarding shall be cognisable under Profiteering and Hoarding Act 1977, Drug Act 1976 and Schedule-11 of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) Act 2012, the notification stated.

All assistant commissioners have been directed to make inspections and conduct audits of pharmacies in their jurisdictions, with further instructions to ensure uninterrupted supply of Dexamethasone and its sale to consumers with valid prescriptions.

Talking to Dawn, officials said that there were some medicines and vitamins, declared effective against the virus because they boost immunity. However, they have also disappeared from markets.

In this regard, DC Shafqaat stated: “We only got complaints about the shortage of Dexamethasone, and action has been taken over it. Normally, Drap takes action over such issues. Shortage of such medicines and vitamins will be considered as a law and order situation.”

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2020

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Obaid Ali

Jun 18, 2020 10:01am

It is too early to conclude its efficacy in Covid 19. It is an old known drug of steroid class that certainly suppress the immune responses which may lead to consequences if not supervised by clinically trained medical staff. The said study is not yet published in my information in reputable journal and didn't see its peer review, however, shared results itself tell about its limited scope up to ICU patients. The role of drug is not discussed in patients who are not critical. Integrity of observed responses remain to be evaluated. We must know that the information not processed carefully is infectious and more dangerous than the pandemic. Clinical response published seems better than the placebo but connection of dots to answer the questions why and how response achieved as well as why not and how not it will harm, is required. In the absence of all relevant data and its validation I may not be able to comment on precision and trustability of emerged results.

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Obaid Ali

Jun 18, 2020 12:09pm

It is too early to conclude its efficacy in Covid 19. It is an old known drug of steroid class that certainly suppress the immune responses which may lead to consequences if not supervised by clinically trained medical staff. The said study is not yet published in reputable journal and didn't see its peer review, however, shared results itself tell about its limited scope up to ICU patients. The role of drug is not discussed in patients who are not critical. Integrity of observed responses remain to be evaluated. We must know that the information not processed carefully is infectious and more dangerous than the pandemic. Clinical response published seems better than the placebo but connection of dots to answer the questions why and how response achieved as well as why not and how not it will harm, is required. In the absence of all relevant data and its validation no one be able to comment on precision and trustability of emerged results.

Recommend 0