Pharmaceutical industry representatives on Saturday clarified that despite a significant increase of over 20 percent in petrol and diesel prices, the prices of essential medicines in Pakistan remained unchanged, and supplies were widely available.
The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) issued a statement to counter unverified media reports, clarifying that the government-regulated prices of vital medications have not been altered in recent months and no increase has been permitted.
Officials noted that drug manufacturers have absorbed substantial cost pressures, including increased freight charges and higher import expenses for active pharmaceutical ingredients, without passing the financial burden onto patients for price-controlled medicines.
The association affirmed that there is no shortage of pharmaceuticals in the country. A continuous supply of crucial drugs-including insulin, antibiotics, cardiovascular treatments, anti-hypertensives, anti-diabetics, and vaccines-is being maintained without interruption.
Approximately ninety percent of medicines consumed in Pakistan are produced domestically, and manufacturers currently hold sufficient inventories of both raw materials and finished products to satisfy national demand.
Despite facing considerable economic and logistical challenges, the pharmaceutical sector has successfully managed its supply chains to ensure the uninterrupted availability of medicines.
However, industry representatives did highlight that the unavailability of certain advanced and life-saving therapies is connected to delays in government price notifications, which are pending despite having received prior approval from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan.