ISLAMABAD: DRAP’s spokesperson has informed that Federal Government has introduced a transparent way through Drug Pricing Policy for price increase as well as decrease of MRP.
It is a wrong impression that DRAP only increases the prices of medicines while truth is that DRAP has reduced the prices of a no. of brands having high sales volume.
Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan has notified a Drug Pricing Policy-2015 with approval of its Policy Board, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet and the Federal Government, says a statement issued here on Thursday.
This Policy provides a transparent mechanism for fixation, decrease and increase in prices of drugs. Under the provisions of the said Policy, on the recommendation of the Authority, Federal Cabinet has approved reduction in Maximum Retail Prices of Originator Brands of above 59 products up to 10%.
These brands include; Zantac Tablets 300mg & Injection, Risperdal Tablets 1mg, 2mg, 3mg & 4mg, Zocor Tablets 10mg, 20mg & 40mg, Concor Tablets 2.5mg, 5mg & 10mg, Cefspan Capsules 400mg & Suspension, Fortum 250mg, 500mg & 1gm injections, Ciproxin Tablets 100mg, Infusion 100mg & 200mg, Canesten-V 100mg & 500mg Tablets & Cream, Caflam Tablets 50mg, Zovirax Injection 250mg, Tablets & Cream, Amikin Injection 100mg, 250mg & 500mg, Imuran Tablets 50mg, , Neupogen Injections 300mcg, Prozac Syrup, Engirex B Injection 10mcg & 20mcg, Cravit Tablets 250mg & 500mg, Singulair Tablets 4mg, 5mg & 10mg & Singulair 4mg Sachets, Cell Cept Tablets 500mg, Losec Infusion 40mg, Tamiflu Capsules 75mg, Taxol Injection 30mg & 100mg Eprex injection 1000IU, 2000IU, 3000IU, 4000IU, 10,000IU & 40,000IU. The notification to this affect shall be issued in coming week. Besides the above stated products, Authority has reduced MRP of Lencentus Injection from Rs.98,000 to Rs.58,800/-.
The Authority has also fixed prices of anti-hepatitis drugs; Daclatasvir 30mg & 60mg, Sofosbuvir + Velpatasvir Tablets at price which is lowest in the region.
Furthermore, the Authority fixed prices of generics of anti-cancer drugs namely; Erlotinib Tablets 100mg & 150mg, Geftinib Tablets 250mg and Transuzumab 600mg Injection at prices at par with neighboring countries.
By and large generics are much cheaper than Originator Brands. DRAP is trying to bring prices of medicines down by various strategies including registering generic medicines at low prices etc. Marketing of new products will enhance competition and availability of drugs in the market.
This will ensure availability of new therapies for patients suffering from Hepatitis-B&C, Cancer, Diabetes, Hypertension, allergy, Infections, vaccination for Diphtheria, Pertussis & Tetanus, Hepatitis-B at affordable prices.