ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Tuesday approved a proposal to reduce the prices of 20 medicines, including those used to treat blood pressure, cancer, eye infection and other complications.

A health ministry spokesperson said the prices of most medicines have been slashed by 30 per cent. The cabinet has also approved a proposal to fix the prices of 54 other medicines.

The cabinet made the decision on the recommendation of Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel, spokesman Sajid Shah said.

In a statement, the health minister said the government was committed to providing relief to the masses.

The previous government led by the PTI had increased prices of medicines by seven times, he claimed, adding that he was committed to bringing transparency to the Drap and ensuring an uninterrupted supply of medicines in the market.

Published in Dawn, january 4th, 2023