Key Takeaways
- Over 100 essential medicines are currently in short supply due to a two-year delay in price approval.
- Pharmaceutical companies have reduced production or stopped manufacturing some life-saving drugs.
- Concerns over counterfeit and substandard drugs increasing as patients struggle to find genuine products.
A significant shortage of more than 100 essential medicines has emerged in Pakistan, following a two-year delay by the government in approving revised prices for these life-saving drugs. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) had recommended increased prices for 105 hardship category medicines in February 2024 after assessing that rising production costs had made many essential drugs commercially unviable.
According to DRAP’s Drug Pricing Committee, the higher costs of imported raw materials, energy, packaging, transportation, labor, financing, and the depreciation of the Pakistani rupee have significantly increased manufacturing expenses. As a result, several pharmaceutical companies have either reduced production or ceased manufacturing certain medicines altogether, exacerbating shortages of critical drugs used to treat cancer, heart disease, and other serious medical conditions.
Abdul Samad Buddani, President of the Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association (PCDA), stated that 105 medicines are currently unavailable or in critically short supply. These include oral morphine for severe cancer pain, streptokinase injections used to treat heart attacks, chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin, carboplatin, and doxorubicin, pediatric digoxin, pilocarpine eye drops, the yellow fever vaccine, folic acid tablets, and several immunoglobulin products.
Industry representatives warn that prolonged shortages are creating opportunities for counterfeiters and illegal suppliers to fill the gap left by genuine manufacturers. They caution that patients searching for hard-to-find medicines, particularly expensive cancer treatments and other life-saving drugs, are increasingly at risk of purchasing fake or substandard products. The Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association has urged the government to expedite the pending cases to restore supplies and prevent further disruptions.
Dr. Obaidullah Malik, CEO of DRAP, confirmed that the recommendations have remained pending since February 2024, despite the authority completing its review and forwarding the proposals to the government. He stated, 'The final decision now rests with the federal cabinet, which must determine whether to approve the revised prices.'
Pharmaceutical manufacturers argue that the hardship pricing mechanism exists to ensure continued availability of essential medicines, but repeated delays in approving revised prices have discouraged companies from continuing production. They urge the government to expedite the pending cases to restore supplies and prevent further disruptions.
The situation has raised concerns among healthcare professionals and patients alike, as the shortage of these critical medicines could lead to serious health risks if counterfeit or substandard drugs are used. The government is under pressure to address this issue promptly to ensure that essential medical treatments remain accessible to those in need.
The final decision now rests with the federal cabinet, which must determine whether to approve the revised prices.
Dr. Obaidullah Malik, CEO of DRAP
