Cabinet decides to reduce prices of 89 medicines

With an aim to provide relief to people, the federal cabinet has decided to reduce the prices of 89 medicines, including life-saving drugs, by 15pc with immediate effect.

Briefing the media regarding the cabinet meeting decisions in Islamabad on Tuesday, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Zafar Mirza said the prices have been decreased as per Medicine Pricing Policy 2018, which would be reviewed within the next two months.

"A National Medicine Policy is being prepared under which the pharmaceutical sector will be regularized," the SAPM stated.

On a query, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the cabinet has approved a special financial package to facilitate people living along the Line of Control in Azad Kashmir. She said 33,498 families, who were direct victims of Indian firing along LOC, would be given Rs5,000 on a quarterly basis under this package.

She said the cabinet also approved the one-time import of polio finger marker from India on the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

Dr Awan informed that Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the Capital Development Authority to take immediate steps to clear garbage and waste from Islamabad.

She further said that reforms in tax laws were also approved by the cabinet and that the prime minister has directed the Federal Board of Revenue to prepare a friendly mechanism to facilitate common people.