The prices of 350 medicines increased from 20 to 100 percent in the wholesale and retail markets across the country increasing inflationary pressures. Almost all local and multinational pharmaceutical companies notified the increase to their respective distributors, dealers and whole sellers. The increases – some as high as 100 per cent – coincided with some of the firms involved earning massive profits. The ministry of health has established a higher price base even before formation of Drug Regulatory Authority.
Taking advantage of the expected increase in prices of medicines, majority of pharmaceutical companies had already stopped supply of their products to the markets, which was likely to allow the hoarders to make windfall profits overnight at the cost of helpless consumers. Why has a drug that has been used for decades suddenly become so expensive? Neither the federal health ministry nor the drug companies can justify this increase in prices of their drugs. In fact, drug companies and corrupt government officials/politicians have joined hands to rob Pakistani people and there is no end in sight.
SARAH HAKEEM
Karachi
