Govt set to drop drug price bomb on masses
Summary ready to increase 119 medicines up to 368
February 8, 2023 09:48 PM
The government has prepared a summary to increase the prices of medicines up to 368 percent, reported 24NewsHD Tv channel.
The summary prepared by the federal health ministry will be presented in the cabinet meeting for taking its approval.
The health ministry’s wing Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has recommended a price hike for 119 medicines up to 368 percent.
According to the sources, in the summary, a 368 percent increase has been suggested in the price of typhoid injection. Upon approval, the price of Tyfon injection for typhoid will be increased from Rs 687 to Rs 3216.
The Chloroquine phosphate for malaria treatment has been recommended a hike by 206 percent and its price will increase from Rs 431 to Rs 1,323 after approval.
A 213 percent hike is proposed in the price of Naltrexone medicine and its price will be increased from Rs 665 to Rs 2084 on approval.
A 177 percent surge in the price of eye drops has been recommended and after the approval, the price of eye drops will be enhanced from Rs 26 to Rs 73.
The sources added that a 140 percent increase is advised for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and after the approval, its price will be Rs 2941 from 1225.
The current price of the anti-TB drug is Rs 1242 while its new price will be Rs 1762 after the approval. The Fenofibrate medicine’s price hike is recommended by 212%. After the endorsement, its price will be Rs 422 from Rs 135.
Reporter: Kifayat Ali Shah