ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to review Pakistan drug prices for 52 newly registered medicines on Monday, August 17, before their submission to the federal cabinet, health ministry officials said.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Chief Executive Officer Dr Obaidullah are expected to attend.
Officials will brief the prime minister on proposed maximum retail prices and pending hardship applications. The meeting will seek his support for placing the recommendations before the federal cabinet.
The Cabinet Committee on Drug Pricing approved proposed prices for all 52 medicines on July 24. DRAP’s Drug Pricing Committee and Policy Board had already endorsed the cases.
Read: Pakistan Panel Clears Prices for 52 Life-Saving Medicines
Health ministry officials said about 100 hardship applications involving other medicines still awaited final approval. Manufacturers or importers file such applications when they seek price revisions to maintain supplies.
The 52 medicines cover cancer, diabetes, haemophilia, Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune disorders, blood clots, serious infections and intensive care.
The federal cabinet must approve the recommendations before DRAP can notify the prices and permit regulated sales. Authorities had not published the proposed PKR prices for individual medicines as of August 16.
