Prices of 70,000 drugs hiked: DRAP

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Prices of 70,OOO drugs have been hiked according to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).

Read more: Pricing dispute hits supply of TB drugs in Pakistan

A notification in this regard has been issued by the regulatory authority Tuesday (today).

The drugs include  hepatitis, asthma and TB.

Read more: Unable to absorb inflation, many pharmacies halt production of TB drugs

-PRICING POLICY-

Formed in 2012 to oversee drug regulation, DRAP this month instituted a first annual price increase since 2001, with increases pegged to inflation, which last year was at a 46-year low of 2.86 percent.

Last month, DRAP also allowed for an 8 percent increase in TB drug prices under a hardship clause, which drug companies can apply for once every three years.

About 18 months ago, DRAP recommended that at least three dozen drugs be put under a new ‘orphan drug’ policy – for medicines developed to treat rare diseases, and typically with no price cap, so as to give manufacturers an incentive to produce for a small market.

“Anti-TB drugs, cardiac drugs, anti-cancer drugs – these are critically needed,” DRAP official.

TB is not classified as a rare disease in Pakistan, but listing it as an orphan disease would allow companies to get around current regulations and sell TB drugs at cost price.

Sajid Hussain Shah, a ministry spokesman, said work was ongoing on the policy.