Government determined to bring prices of medicines back to original

Pharmaceutical companies just as resolute not to withdraw increase

Islamabad

The Ministry of Health Friday expressed its resolve to leave “no stone unturned” to obtain withdrawal of the “unjust and unwarranted increase” in prices of medicines by some multinational pharmaceutical companies that have dismissed the rate fixed by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) for being irrational from the manufacturers’ standpoint, and having obtained a stay order from the Sindh High Court, have arbitrarily raised the prices of medicines.

“The increase in prices of medicines has neither been made by the government nor by DRAP,” Minister of State for Health Saira Afzal stated in the National Assembly. She said, “The government will not tolerate this injustice with the masses, and will not allow laws to be trampled upon.”

There is a lawful mechanism in place for increase in the prices of medicines. The Drug Pricing Committee ascertains prices of medicines in line with a pre-determined formula based on the pricing policy,” a statement issued by the ministry says.

In order to further deliberate on the matter, the Ministry of Health had called a meeting of the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) and Pharma Bureau; while PPMA attended, Pharma Bureau absented. “The Pharma Bureau’s absence is a proof of the fact that they have committed a huge injustice on the masses by virtue of the unwarranted and arbitrary increase in prices of medicines,” the statement says.

“We respect the judiciary, but in this particular instance, we will definitely knock at the doors of the Supreme Court to challenge this decision,” the statement added.

The minister of state for health has also taken strong exception to the “opposition’s point-scoring strategy” on the issue, and has underlined that such tactics only tantamount to supporting the pharmaceutical companies’ arbitrary increase. “If you are truly concerned about the masses, you need to stand with the government against the pharmaceutical mafia, which has taken refuge behind a stay order to extract millions of rupees from the poor,” Saira stated. She also stressed the need for legislation to prevent such instances in the future.

Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical companies have expressed their determination not to reduce the prices of medicines. They have rejected the offer of sitting on the negotiation table with the Ministry of Health. As a matter of fact, they have expressed awe over the tone and tenor of the minister of state for health, and have accused her of failing to understand the gravity of the situation facing the pharmaceutical companies. “The government will have to let go of its traditional obstinacy and take action against elements that are allowing the situation to get out of hand,” a statement issued by the pharmaceutical conglomerate said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is hoping that the Supreme Court will allow DRAP to institute legal action against companies involved in price increase.