Karachi: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan and Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association have categorically denied reports of any recent increase in prices of essential medicines, saying life saving drugs including insulin remain available across the country at unchanged government regulated rates despite rising fuel and logistics costs.
In a formal clarification, DRAP said that prices of all medicines listed on the National Essential Medicines List have not been revised in recent months and pharmaceutical companies are not allowed to increase their prices on their own. It termed circulating reports about price hikes as factually incorrect, explaining that figures cited in some media stories were based on maximum retail prices already printed on medicine packs manufactured in 2024 or 2025, which were wrongly presented as recent increases.
The regulator said it is closely monitoring the availability of medicines and medical devices and has found the supply situation satisfactory for the coming months. It maintained that around 85 percent of medicines consumed in Pakistan are produced locally and remain largely unaffected by ongoing regional disruptions, including airspace and shipping constraints.
To further safeguard supplies, DRAP said it has issued advisories to manufacturers to adopt multiple sourcing strategies and diversify supply routes, ensuring that any temporary disruptions in cargo movement do not translate into shortages of medicines in the country.
Echoing the regulator’s stance, PPMA said essential medicines, including insulin, antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs, anti hypertensives, anti diabetics and vaccines, are being supplied without interruption and are available in sufficient quantities across Pakistan.
Industry representatives said that despite more than 20 percent increase in petrol and diesel prices and rising import costs of raw materials, manufacturers have not passed on the financial burden to patients in the case of essential medicines, which remain under strict government price control.
They noted that nearly 90 percent of medicines used in Pakistan are produced locally and that companies currently hold adequate stocks of both raw materials and finished products to meet national demand, even under economic and logistical pressures.
However, PPMA pointed out that shortages of certain advanced and life saving therapies are linked not to supply disruptions but to delays in government price notifications, despite prior approvals by DRAP. These include several modern cancer drugs, vaccines and immunoglobulins that cannot be marketed regularly until their prices are formally notified.
Industry officials warned that timely notification of already approved prices would improve availability of these critical treatments and ease the burden on patients facing rising healthcare costs.
Both DRAP and PPMA urged media organisations to verify information before publication, cautioning that unverified or sensational reports about medicine shortages or price increases can create unnecessary panic among patients dependent on continuous treatment.
They reiterated that Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector remains functional and resilient, ensuring uninterrupted access to essential medicines while navigating economic challenges and regional uncertainties.
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