ISLAMABAD: Amid allegations that private medical and dental colleges are receiving exorbitant fees, the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services (NHS) and Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Thursday directed the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to visit colleges and inquire from students if the cap of Rs1.8 million on the annual fee was being violated.

Moreover, the committee also showed annoyance over the increasing prices of medicines after which the minister said the decision to deregulate medicine prices can be reconsidered.

The meeting, chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, was held to deliberate on key legislative and regulatory matters concerning healthcare, medical education and public health.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui, while addressing the health minister, said due to efforts of the committee the fee of medical and dental colleges had been capped at Rs1.8 million, but unfortunately it was not being implemented.

Mr Kamal asked about the names of students who were being forced to pay more. However, Mr Siddiqui said names cannot be disclosed because colleges will start disturbing students through different tactics.

Senator Sarmad Ali suggested sending teams to medical colleges to inquire about it. The minister directed the PMDC to send teams to the colleges and directly inquire from students how much they were paying.

Medicine prices

The chairman of the committee expressed displeasure over cartelisation in the pharmaceutical sector, adding that unprecedented price hikes driven by profiteering cannot be tolerated at the expense of public health. He noted that the government had embraced deregulation in good faith with the aim of ensuring affordable public health. However, he suggested that if this cartelisation does not end, and the purpose of deregulation is not achieved, the committee shall review the policy of deregulation.

Officials from the ministry said an assessment of deregulation, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, will be finalised by September 18.

The minister admitted that while deregulation aimed to promote competition, it had failed to deliver relief and instead triggered anti-competitive practices. He assured the committee that the government will revisit the policy if it was found harmful to consumers.

In the past, prices of medicines could not be increased without approval of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap). However, during the caretaker government it was decided to deregulate the prices.

The committee considered legislative business, including the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill, 2025, both introduced by Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand. Members debated the autonomy of the PMDC and whether parliamentary representation might dilute its independence.

The minister emphasised that regulatory institutions must remain free from political influence and function transparently. The Bill was deferred for further scrutiny.

On the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the committee acknowledged the urgent need to bring psychologists under a regulatory framework. The chairman also endorsed the proposal, and the Bill was approved.

Published in Dawn, August 22th, 2025