The pharmaceutical companies are faced with a great deal of inconvenience, for they are unable to import raw materials and pharmaceutical ingredients to manufacture life-saving drugs due to the non-opening of letters of credit (LCs), reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.

It is learnt that the materials, that the pharmaceutical companies are unable to import, are used to manufacture the medicines for treating blood pressure, diabetes, hepatitis, heart disease and psychiatric disorders.

There are several difficulties in manufacturing these medicines locally. The medical experts have said that the government should take steps to manage the situation before it turns worse from bad.

Dr Umar Sultan, a medical expert, said that there was already a shortage of medicines for fever, cold, and cough and an increase in their prices due to the massive rupee devaluation.

“Therefore, the health ministry should take serious steps to resolve the matter to avoid any precarious situation,” he added.

Reporter: Ubaid Shah