Federal govt given 10 days to draft drug pricing policy

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday once again gave the federal government 10-day time as a last chance to draft new drug pricing regulatory policy.

A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Maqbool Baqar was hearing a petition filed by the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association and others against the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) that issued a notification withdrawing its earlier notification with immediate effect regarding hike in drug prices on the directives of prime minister.

On previous hearing, the court had granted the federal government’s request to allow one-month time to convene a meeting of all stakeholders and decide on proposed amendments in drug pricing regulatory policy by senate committee. The court had directed that new draft shall instantly be sent to prime minister for consideration so that policy may be finalised, notified and enforced within a month.

During hearing on Wednesday, the bench at the request of federal health secretary gave him further 10 days time as a last chance for hammering out the national drug pricing regulatory policy.

The counsel for the petitioner had submitted that DRAP had issued a notification, whereby 15 percent hike was allowed in the price of every medicine, except lifesaving drugs. He said later a notification was issued on directives of the prime minister withdrawing earlier notification on November 29, 2013.

He submitted that the PM had no authority to pass any such order, adding that the notification was issued illegally and without giving them an opportunity of hearing. Therefore, the court was requested to declare as illegal the notification issued on directions of the prime minister.