ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Cabinet Committee on Drug Pricing cleared proposed prices for 52 newly registered life-saving medicines at its July 24 meeting
The recommendations will now go to the federal cabinet for final approval. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) can then notify the maximum retail prices and permit legal marketing through licensed pharmacies.
The medicines include cancer treatments Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab, Irinotecan, Dasatinib and Leucovorin, according to APP.
The proposed approvals also cover Humalog insulin for diabetes and Adalimumab for autoimmune diseases. Other medicines include Recombinant Factor VIII for haemophilia A and Carbidopa-Levodopa for Parkinson’s disease.
The list includes Dabigatran and Heparin for blood clot prevention, Methyldopa for hypertension during pregnancy, and antibiotics Meropenem and Fosfomycin. Ketamine, vaccines, radiology contrast agents and medicines used in intensive care and emergency departments also appear on the list.
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The Ministry of National Health Services sought immediate price decisions because registered products cannot enter Pakistan’s regulated market until the government notifies their prices. The ministry said delays had pushed some patients towards personal imports or unregistered medicines.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, who chaired the committee, called for transparent and evidence-based pricing.
He also urged officials to balance affordability, patient access and pharmaceutical supply, according to the Press Information Department.
The official government statement confirmed the meeting and its pricing agenda. However, it did not disclose the 52-product approval, proposed retail prices or a federal cabinet consideration date.
