On Wednesday, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) announced a price increase for 25 essential drugs, including those crucial for lung and breast cancer treatments. This decision comes amidst rising inflation, further burdening the general populace.
The revised prices also affect necessary healthcare products like antibiotics, inhalers, painkillers, and injections. Additionally, drugs for diabetes, Leukemia, joint ailments, malaria, hepatitis B, and deworming have seen cost adjustments. Prices for blood pressure medications and vascular dilators have been updated as well.
Per the notification, asthma inhalers will now cost Rs1,390. A set of 10 Zerbaxa powder is priced at Rs153,566, while a box of 30 Lorviqua 25mg tablets is now Rs276,857. The 100mg variant of the same tablet is set at an astonishing Rs846,857 for a pack of 30. Moreover, a week’s supply of Ibrance tablets, available in 75mg, 100mg, and 125 mg, will retail for Rs74,510. Even everyday drugs like Paracetamol have witnessed a price surge, with a 20-tablet pack now priced up to Rs192.