Medicine pricing case: Centre, DRAP asked to submit reply within week

LAHORE:In a crucial hearing held at the Lahore High Court under the supervision of Justice Muhammad Reza Qureshi, the issue of drug price control in Pakistan remains unresolved as the federal government and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) requested additional time to submit their response.

However, the court directed them to submit their reply within a week. Pharmacist Advocate Noor Muhammad Mahar while addressing the media outside the courtroom, criticised DRAP. It should be noted that the Kakar-led caretaker government issued a notification on February 18, 2024, to deregulate drug prices. However, the Lahore High Court suspended the order through a stay. The current Shehbaz Sharif's government attempted to uphold the caretaker government's decision on May 30, 2024 — a move that was legally challenged by Advocate Noor Muhammad Mahar and Advocate Nadeem Sarwar. Pakistan Drug Lawyers Forum will raise its voice on every platform if the deregulation of drug prices continues, added Noor Mahar.