Pakistan’s government has ordered a review of the drug pricing formula, saying medicine prices should not rise without justified reasons, with the new mechanism focused on people’s needs rather than creating unnecessary barriers for importers and pharmaceutical companies.
The meeting was informed that the trivalent influenza vaccine recommended by the World Health Organization is sufficiently available in the market, and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan withdrew a case concerning the vaccine filed under the hardship procedure, since its prices are controlled on the international market.
The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association asked to be involved in the review, arguing that affordability must be balanced with availability: if prices are frozen for too long, production can become unprofitable as costs of active ingredients, packaging, energy, transport and compliance rise. It proposed a clear mechanism for periodic price adjustments linked to inflation and costs.
Sources: Dawn, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan. Written in our own words for information only.