In a meeting convened by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) raised concerns over the lack of involvement of industry stakeholders in a third-party survey initiated by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) in response to public outcry over rising medicine prices following the deregulation of non-essential drugs.
As per media reports, DRAP, following the Prime Minister’s directive, launched the survey in a bid to evaluate how deregulation has affected medicine prices, particularly those not on the National Essential Medicines List (NEML).
The survey aims to collect data from pharmacies, hospitals, and distributors across urban and rural areas, with a focus on market distortions and regional pricing variations. The study will also compare the retail prices of the top 100 non-essential medicines to their Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) before deregulation.
The government introduced the deregulation policy in February 2024 under SRO 228(I)/2024, intending to tackle drug shortages and attract investment. However, the move quickly drew criticism from healthcare professionals and the public as prices for many widely used medicines soared.
The survey, which was supposed to be completed within 15 working days of the contract award, is being assessed in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO), which will provide technical guidance on its economic and health implications.
Data from IQVIA shows that the pharmaceutical market in Pakistan reached Rs1.049 trillion in sales for the year ending March 2025, reflecting a 20.62% increase in rupee terms. However, unit sales grew only 3.63%, indicating that price hikes were the primary driver of market growth.
The rise in drug prices has especially impacted essential medicines for chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and psychiatric disorders, making it difficult for patients to afford the necessary treatments.
The ongoing survey and WHO review could prompt the government to reconsider the deregulation policy, possibly restoring price controls or introducing a tiered pricing system to ensure access to essential medicines for all segments of the population.
