Islamabad: Prices of 55 percent deregulated non-essential medicines increased after the government removed price controls in 2024 while prices of around 42 percent medicines declined and only 2 percent remained unchanged, officials told the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services on Thursday.
The findings were shared by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) during a briefing on the impact of deregulation of non-essential medicines under SRO 228(I)/2024.
According to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Survey 2025 and 2026, DRAP assessed 771 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) and brands representing the top 500 non-essential medicine brands available in the market.
The survey revealed that 424 products, or 55.06 percent, were being sold above their pre-deregulation approved Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs), while 329 products, or 42.67 percent, were available below their earlier approved prices.
Prices of only 18 products, or 2.27 percent, remained unchanged.
The data further showed that among the medicines whose prices increased, 31 brands and SKUs were selling at more than 100 percent above their pre-deregulation approved MRPs.
Another 62 products were priced 50 to 100 percent higher, while 331 products were being sold up to 50 percent above their previous approved prices.
Documents presented before the Senate committee showed that some medicines recorded exceptionally sharp price increases after deregulation.
Coldrex tablets manufactured by StandPharm, containing paracetamol, dextromethorphan and chlorpheniramine for respiratory and cold-related illnesses, increased from Rs27.60 per 100 tablets in 2024 to Rs475 per 100 tablets in 2026, reflecting an increase of 1,621.01 percent.
Kalv tablets of CCL Pharma, containing calcium and vitamin D3 for bone health, increased from Rs330.03 per 30 tablets to Rs1,326.79 per 30 tablets, showing an increase of 302.02 percent.
Avil injections 22.7mg/2ml manufactured by Sanofi Pakistan, used for allergy and respiratory conditions, increased from Rs432.91 per 50 ampules to Rs1,500 per 50 ampules, recording a 246.49 percent increase.
Brufen cream 10% 30g manufactured by Abbott rose from Rs101.69 per 30g tube to Rs350 per tube, reflecting a 244.18 percent increase.
Librax tablets manufactured by Martin Dow for irritable bowel syndrome and gastrointestinal disorders increased from Rs146.39 per 30 tablets to Rs500 per 30 tablets, showing an increase of 241.55 percent.
Polyfax eye ointment 4g manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline increased from Rs34.05 per 4g tube to Rs113.47 per tube, recording a 233.25 percent rise.
Laxoberon syrup 5mg/60ml of Martin Dow increased from Rs83.17 per 60ml bottle to Rs250 per bottle, showing a 200.59 percent increase, while Laxoberon drops increased from Rs51.76 per 15ml bottle to Rs150 per bottle, reflecting an increase of 189.80 percent.
Similarly, Stemetil tablets 5mg manufactured by Sanofi for nausea and vertigo increased from Rs312.31 per 300 tablets to Rs900 per 300 tablets, showing an increase of 188.17 percent.
Officials informed the Senate committee that the survey was conducted to generate national evidence regarding retail prices of deregulated medicines and to compare pre-deregulation approved MRPs with prevailing market prices after deregulation.
The briefing stated that Pakistan currently has 659 drug manufacturing licence holders and 394 importers of pharmaceutical and biological drugs. The country’s retail pharmaceutical market recorded sales of Rs1.032 trillion by June 2025.
The federal government deregulated non-essential medicines in 2024, arguing that strict price controls had affected the availability of several medicines and made many products commercially unviable for manufacturers and importers.
The survey findings suggested that the impact of deregulation remained mixed. While a significant number of medicines became available below their earlier approved prices, a larger proportion witnessed price increases beyond the previous ceiling.
Officials told the committee that all 771 surveyed products were available in the market at the time of the survey, indicating improved availability of medicines following deregulation.
DRAP officials maintained that the survey was aimed at providing evidence to policymakers for evaluating the effects of deregulation on pricing trends, availability and market competition in the pharmaceutical sector.
Ends