Drug Shortage Crisis: Over 50 Medicines to Vanish from Market
Pharmaceutical body Chairman appeals to Caretaker PM to resolve issue of 200 hardship case
By: Omed Hajjana
Islamabad: A drug shortage crisis is in the offing as chairman Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Association (PPMA) Chairman Syed Farooq Bukhari has warned over 50 medicines to vanish from the market due to price hike issues.
He has requested new Caretaker PM Anwaar ul Haq Kakar to take a look at the matter of Pharma companies on a priority basis.
In an Exclusive Interview with NewzTodays, Farooq Bukhari said that all pharma companies and their owners are uncertain after the dissolution of the National Assembly by the PDM Government.
He added that uncertainty will lead to the black marketing of drugs.
He said that 200 hardship cases of pharmaceutical companies have been pending with the federal cabinet.
He warned that over 50 medicines will soon vanish from the market if the caretaker government would not handle them on a top basis.
He elaborated on the Hardship cases saying that these are the ones in which companies claim that their manufacturing cost has exceeded the maximum retail price (MRP).
He maintained that it had become difficult for them to continue the manufacturing of medicines and then sell them at MRP.No Restrictions to import Drugs from India, Senate Panel informed
Companies have been filing cases for an increase in the MRP.
the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) forwards the cases of hiking prices to the health ministry that sends a summary to the cabinet for final decision.
He said that Pharma companies are manufacturing essential medicines at this time citing the dollar price is increasing quickly in the market.
According to Media reports, during the last 16 months of PDM’s government, the prices of one lakh medicines soared up 15 to 30 pc.
Prices of life-saving medicines including Headache, Fever, and flu increased in the last tenure of the PDM Government.
The price of one packet of Panadol tablets has increased by Rs.17 in the last six months.
The insulin which is used for diabetic patients has increased by 150 rupees and multiple times patients have faced a shortage of insulin across Pakistan.
Medical devices, stents, cannulae, and other drugs have become extinct in Pakistan.
Commenting on it, Farooq Bukhari said that the Shahbaz-led coalition government policies proved to be quite friendly.
We have faced losses many times due to the dollar liquidity crunch.
During the last sixteen months, the artificial shortage, and counterfeit drugs were the biggest challenge for the Shahbaz government.
Farooq Bukhari said that on behalf of Pharma companies, I will be thankful that the PDM Government has opened the LCs for importing raw materials of life-saving drugs.
