DRAP Decides to Crack Down on Pharma Companies Over Unjustified Medicine Price Hikes

Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) has decided to take action against pharmaceutical companies accused of unjustifiably increasing medicine prices. According to DRAP officials, companies operating in the deregulated market that have raised prices will be required to explain the reasons behind the increases. Authorities said that out of nearly 50,000 medicines in the deregulated market, only 92 products have so far been identified as having experienced price hikes.

Officials said notices have already been issued to 37 pharmaceutical companies over the price increases of these 92 medicines. They warned that any further complaints regarding unjustified price hikes would result in immediate notices being served to the companies concerned. DRAP emphasized that it would adopt a zero-tolerance policy against unnecessary increases in medicine prices.

DRAP officials said every complaint related to medicine price hikes would be thoroughly reviewed and regulatory action against companies found violating the rules would continue. They stressed that the deregulated market would not remain beyond regulatory oversight and that pharmaceutical companies would have to justify any increase in prices. The authority added that its future course of action would be determined after reviewing the companies’ responses.