Govt fixes prices for 35 life-saving medicines, 45 more under review

The federal government has approved price fixation for 35 essential and life-saving medicines, with another 45 expected to be cleared soon, in a step aimed at addressing shortages that have affected patients across Pakistan.

Officials said delays in setting prices had disrupted supply chains, limiting availability of critical treatments and forcing patients to rely on expensive or unregulated alternatives.

As per reports, the decision was taken after the matter was raised at the highest level, with Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal briefing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the urgency of ensuring access to key therapies. Authorities were informed that continued delays were affecting treatment continuity and increasing risks for patients requiring uninterrupted care.

The medicines include treatments for cancer, transplants, cardiovascular diseases and vaccines such as Typhoid Vi, polio and pneumococcal doses. Other affected products include recombinant human coagulation factor VIII, human rabies immunoglobulin and semaglutide.

Officials said shortages had created treatment gaps, particularly for patients with cancer, haemophilia, severe infections and chronic illnesses, with some turning to informal markets that raise concerns over quality and safety.

The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association welcomed the decision, stating that delays over the past two years had restricted access to essential and newer medicines, limiting treatment options for healthcare providers.

The association said supply disruptions had also increased reliance on smuggled medicines, posing risks to public health, and noted that the latest approvals could help restore availability of critical therapies.

For more than two years, the government had delayed price fixation for essential medicines while deregulating non-essential drug pricing. Under current policy, non-essential medicines remain deregulated, while essential and life-saving drugs continue to fall under government price controls.