Pakistan: Medicine makers ask government to resolve pharma industry's issues, hike prices

The body asked the government of the country, which is facing a financial crisis, to  adjust prices according to rupee depreciation, input cost increase, and high transportation cost.

In case the demand is not met the industry will collapse soon, the association was quoted as saying by Business Recorder.

In a letter to the prime minister and the federal minister for National Health Services and Regulations, the industry has called for increase in the medicine prices as the industry is heavily dependent on imported raw materials to ensure the uninterrupted availability of medicines in the country.

In view of the foregoing and being compelled and constrained by the circumstances beyond the control of the pharmaceutical industry, it has become completely unsustainable to manufacture medicines and ensure their availability beyond the next seven days, the PPMA letter stated.

In response to the PPMA letter, the Ministry of National Health Services has agreed to discuss the increase in the price of medicines. According to the PPMA officials, a delegation of government headed by Heath Minister Abdul Qadir Patel is likely to meet the PPMA delegation in the next few days.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Dr Asim Rauf and other relevant stakeholders will also take part in the deliberation.

Sources further told Business Recorder that the meeting would discuss the issues being faced by the pharma industry. The meeting would also consider opening of letters of credit (LCs) to stop the shortage of medicines.