Despite Prime Minister Imran Khan’s directive to slash the prices of the medicines within 72 hours, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has failed to make any progress in executing the orders.

The prices have been increased six times during the last two years, making them of many people's reach.

The situation is further complicated the coronavirus crisis, as the resultant lockdown has resulted in joblessness and increase in poverty, thus reducing their purchasing power even more.

Last month, the prime minister had the health ministry to split the DRAP into two wings, one for policymaking and the other for enforcing policies.

He had also directed the DRAP to fix the prices after following a proper procedure.