DRAP fixes retail prices of 35 life-saving medicines

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan has issued a notification fixing maximum retail prices for 35 advanced life-saving medicines, including treatments for cancer, heart disease and typhoid.

Industry officials said the move would allow pharmaceutical companies to begin commercial production and import of the notified medicines, although market availability could take one to two months.

According to the notification, the approved maximum retail prices would not apply to medicines whose registrations had already been issued under the Drugs (Licensing, Registration and Advertising) Rules, 1976 unless specifically stated.

Officials said pharmaceutical companies had applied for registration and price fixation of 80 advanced medicines over the past two years, with the remaining 45 medicines expected to be considered in a second phase.

Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association senior vice chairman Kamran Nasir said the notification would enable manufacturers to proceed with production and imports after prolonged delays in price fixation.

Industry representatives said delays in price approvals had restricted access to several high-priority therapies, forcing patients to rely on expensive or unregulated smuggled medicines.

The notification is also expected to support pharmaceutical exports by allowing local companies to market the approved medicines internationally.

Separately, Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal said earlier this week that Pakistan was close to achieving Level 3 certification from the World Health Organization, which could help expand pharmaceutical exports.

Pakistan’s pharmaceutical companies have also signed 10 memorandums of understanding with Chinese firms for local manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients, vaccine collaboration and technology transfer.