Pharmacists demand urgent control over rising medicine prices

Alarmed by the continuous rise in medicine prices across Pakistan, the Pakistan Pharmacist Association’s (PPA) Sindh chapter on Sunday demanded immediate policy action from the government and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to rein in costs, particularly for non-essential medicines that are becoming increasingly unaffordable for ordinary citizens.

The call for intervention comes amid growing public concern over the price surge that followed the controversial deregulation of non-essential medicines during the tenure of the unelected caretaker government in 2023–24.

The deregulation policy removed price controls on hundreds of medicines, allowing pharmaceutical companies to set prices without oversight. As a result, the prices of commonly used drugs for conditions like blood pressure, diabetes, psychiatric disorders, and infections have skyrocketed—putting them out of reach for a large portion of the population.

At an emergency meeting chaired by PPA Sindh President Adnan Rizvi, the association voiced strong concern over the lack of a coherent pricing framework. “We demand that the government immediately formulate a comprehensive medicine pricing policy and restore regulatory oversight, especially for non-essential drugs, to protect vulnerable patients,” said Adnan Rizvi.

The meeting also addressed the critical shortage of hospital pharmacists in the province, warning that without sufficient professionals, safe and effective medication use cannot be ensured in health facilities.

PPA members noted that pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals when it comes to ensuring medication safety and public health, particularly in areas like pharmacovigilance, adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

“Pharmacists play a frontline role in identifying harmful drug reactions and reporting them in a timely manner. This is crucial to protect patients from long-term harm,” said Adnan Rizvi during the session.

The meeting emphasized the need to empower pharmacists in all sectors and called for institutional support to expand their role in AMR surveillance and patient safety. In addition to policy concerns, the PPA Sindh chapter announced plans to advocate for financial and logistical support for young and female pharmacists.

A special loan scheme is being proposed for early-career pharmacists to support their professional development, while plans are underway to propose the provision of electric scooters for female pharmacists to facilitate safe and independent commuting. Delegates said a formal action plan will soon be presented to relevant government bodies.

The meeting concluded with strong pledges from General Secretary Mohammad Bakhsh Soomro, and senior members Ghayas Ahmed and Farhan Ansari, who affirmed their commitment to strengthening the pharmacist community and securing their rightful place in Pakistan’s healthcare system.

“We will continue to raise our voice and take every necessary step to protect the rights and role of pharmacists across Sindh and beyond,” they said.

The pharmacists also urged the government to involve them more closely in public health planning and policymaking, stating that their clinical expertise and community presence make them indispensable allies in the effort to ensure safe, affordable, and rational use of medicines in Pakistan.