DRAP suspends production of 143 overpriced medicines

Islamabad : Acting on complaints about pharmaceutical companies having increased prices of drugs over and above the maximum retail price (MRPs), the government Saturday carried out a crackdown on the unauthorized price increase, resulting in seizure of stocks of 143 medicines.

The production activities of pharmaceutical units for their overpriced medicines has been stopped for further action as per the law.

Federal Minister and Secretary National Health Services directed DRAP to take strict action against pharmaceutical companies selling medicines on exorbitant prices. There is a recommendation for registration of cases on overpriced medicines under the Drug Act 1976 and DRAP Act 2012, and imposition of heavy fines with recovery of overpriced amount.

During a countrywide activity, DRAP has taken action against 31 pharmaceutical companies and seized/not to dispose of their 143 medicines on overpricing. Cases will be registered against these companies under SRO 913(I)/ 2017 on overpricing for recovery of overpriced amount.

DRAP has advised monitoring of MRPs in the market to ensure that MRPs of drugs were not higher than notified prices. In case of stocks available in the retail shops or manufactured or imported prior to issuance of SROs must be sold at previous MRPs printed on the label in the manner prescribed by the Drugs (Labelling and Packing) Rules, 1986 while stickers or cuttings are not allowed.

Moreover, DRAP has also initiated suspension of production activities of pharmaceutical companies for those products caught overpriced in the market than the notified price.