Transparency suggests recipe for 90% relief in medical expenses for public

ISLAMABAD: Transparency International Pakistan (TI Pakistan) has called on the federal government to enforce the generic medicine policy, highlighting massive price disparities between branded and non-branded drugs that cost the national exchequer and citizens billions annually.

In a letter addressed to Syed Mustafa Kamal, Federal Minister for National Health Services, TI Pakistan pointed out the failure to implement the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan’s (Drap) 2021 advisory, which mandated doctors to prescribe medicines by their generic names. The letter cited alarming price differences, with some branded medicines costing 3,000% to 4,000% more than their generic counterparts. A comparison of 300mg Aspirin tablets revealed prices ranging from Rs47 to Rs300, with some brands charging five times more for the same drug. Prices of Punjab government as against the market rates also show huge difference. For example, generic Monelukast 10mg is priced at Rs3.07, while one of the various brands sells at Rs93 (3,029% higher). Similarly, Omeprazole 20mg costs Rs1.70 generically but one of the brand sells at Rs67.85 (3,991% higher).

Implementing the generic policy could provide 90 per cent relief in medical expenses for the public.

TI Pakistan emphasized that generic medicines will make healthcare affordable for low-income populations, ensure equitable treatment across socioeconomic groups and drive down prices and encouraging local pharmaceutical innovation.

TI Pakistan urged the health minister to enforce Drap’s generic prescription policy in public and private sectors, adopt least-cost procurement methods for government drug purchases and investigate non-compliance with existing directives.