ISLAMABAD:A spokesperson of Ministry of National Health Services, Research and Coordination on Saturday said the pharmaceutical companies under Drug Pricing Policy 2018 can increase prices of essential drugs by 7% and non-essential drugs by 10% in accordance with annual consumer price index (CPI).
He, however, said the government proactively took measures by keeping the prices static by interacting with pharma industry in order to alleviate the suffering of people during this pandemic. Accordingly, pharmaceutical companies have decided not to increase drug prices in the first quarter of this financial year in support of the government’s initiative to provide relief to the people due to the COVID pandemic.
The spokesperson said all medicines will remain available at old prices in the first quarter of this financial year. He said the government appreciates and commends the decision of the pharmaceutical companies and to stand with the government to provide relief to the people of Pakistan in this difficult time.