ISLAMABAD — The federal government has approved long-pending price fixation for 35 essential and life-saving medicines, with pricing for an additional 45 molecules expected soon, in a bid to resolve acute shortages that have disrupted patient care nationwide, a senior official at the Ministry of National Health Services confirmed.
The decision, approved by the federal cabinet, aims to restore availability of vital therapies that had remained inaccessible since 2024 despite being registered by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). The two-year delay in price setting had forced patients to either go without treatment or rely on costly, often unregulated smuggled medicines.
Cancer and Transplant Drugs Among Affected Therapies
Officials at DRAP confirmed that the affected medicines include a wide range of critical therapies such as oncology drugs, transplant medications, cardiovascular treatments, and vaccines — including Typhoid Vi, polio, and pneumococcal vaccines. Other essential products impacted include recombinant human coagulation factor VIII, human rabies immunoglobulin, and semaglutide.
The non-availability of these medicines had created serious treatment gaps, especially for patients suffering from cancer, haemophilia, severe infections, and chronic conditions. In many cases, patients were left with no option but to procure medicines through informal channels, exposing them to risks related to quality, safety, and efficacy.
Health Minister Pushed for Urgent Action
According to the official, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal personally took up the matter at the highest level, presenting the case before the cabinet and briefing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the urgency of ensuring access to critical medicines.
“The prime minister was informed that delays in price approvals were not only disrupting supply chains but also putting lives at risk, particularly in cases requiring uninterrupted treatment,” the official added.
The delay in price fixation had effectively blocked the formal supply of several new and advanced therapies despite completion of regulatory requirements, an official said, adding that the fresh approvals will restore lawful supply chains and improve treatment continuity.
Pharmaceutical Industry Welcomes Decision
The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA) welcomed the government’s decision, calling it a timely intervention to address acute shortages of essential medicines. In a statement, the association appreciated the leadership of PM Shehbaz, Health Minister Kamal, the federal cabinet, and DRAP for resolving what it described as a long-standing issue affecting patient care.
The PPMA noted that for the past two years, the industry had repeatedly highlighted that delays in price fixation approvals were restricting the availability of essential medicines, including new molecules and advanced treatment options, thereby limiting therapeutic choices for healthcare providers.
The association said the shortages had not only disrupted the formal supply chain but also increased reliance on smuggled and unregulated medicines, posing serious risks to public health.
Terming the latest approvals a “turning point” for the healthcare system, the PPMA said the decision will help restore the availability of critical therapies, improve clinical outcomes, and reduce dependence on unsafe alternatives. The association expressed hope that improved local availability of medicines would also open avenues for exports as regional markets continue to expand in key therapeutic areas.
