ISLAMABAD: The federal health ministry has sought an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to obtain approval for the pricing of 52 newly registered life-saving medicines.
Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal and Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb are expected to attend the meeting along with Federal Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri and Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Chief Executive Officer Dr Obaidullah.
Officials said the health ministry has contacted the prime minister’s adviser, Tauqeer Shah, requesting an early appointment for the delegation.
The Cabinet Committee on Drug Pricing had already approved prices for the 52 medicines during its meeting on July 24. However, the medicines cannot be legally marketed in Pakistan until the federal cabinet gives its final approval.
After cabinet approval, DRAP will be able to issue notifications fixing the maximum retail prices of the medicines, allowing pharmaceutical companies to formally launch the products in the regulated market.
Health ministry officials said the proposed meeting with the prime minister is aimed at obtaining his support for placing the pricing decision before the federal cabinet at the earliest.
The delegation is also expected to raise the issue of hardship cases involving several essential medicines.
Manufacturers and importers of these medicines have requested price adjustments, arguing that continued production or imports at the existing prices have become increasingly difficult.
A senior health ministry official said the government was concerned because several registered medicines remained unavailable in the regulated market despite their prices having been approved by the drug pricing committee.
The official said the delegation would brief the prime minister on the situation and seek immediate action to prevent further shortages.
Among the medicines facing supply pressure are essential products such as influenza vaccines and morphine used in cancer treatment, along with other drugs whose manufacturers have reported difficulties in maintaining supplies at existing prices.
The Cabinet Committee on Drug Pricing, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, approved the 52 pricing cases after reviewing recommendations submitted by DRAP’s Drug Pricing Committee and Policy Board.
All 52 cases forwarded by the Drug Pricing Committee and endorsed by the DRAP Policy Board were approved by the cabinet committee.
However, the committee’s decision is not the final step in the process. The federal cabinet must endorse the recommendations before DRAP can officially notify the maximum retail prices.
The medicines covered by the proposed pricing decision are used to treat a range of serious and chronic conditions.
They include medicines for cancer, diabetes, haemophilia, Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune disorders, blood-clotting conditions and severe infections. Some are also used in intensive-care units and emergency treatment.
Officials believe timely approval could help bring the newly registered medicines into the regulated market and improve availability for patients requiring specialised treatment.
