Increase in drug prices: Punjab government for resolution of issue immediately

Taking notice of recent increase made by some pharmaceutical companies in its products, Punjab government has approached the federal government seeking intervention to resolve the issue of increase in prices of medicines immediately. Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique said on Thursday that Punjab government is in contact with the federal government to convey the difficulties faced by common man due to price hike of medicines.
"We have shared our concern with the federal government on this issue so that some clear strategy could be evolved to check the prices of medicines," he said. Salman further said that although the registration and fixation of medicines' prices is a federal subject and Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) deals with these issues, the provincial government wants resolution of this issue.
The advisor also chaired a meeting to review price hike situation of medicines. Director General Health Dr Mukhtar Hussain Syed and the officers of Provincial Quality Control Board attended the meeting. During the meeting, it was informed that some pharmaceutical companies approached the Sindh High Court for enhancing the prices of drugs.
Moreover, Salman in a meeting with Professor Abdul Bari, Chief Recipient of Global Fund and Head of Indus Hospital Karachi has said that Punjab Health department has approached its international partner "Global Fund" for further strengthening the financial cooperation for enhancing diagnostic and treatment facilities for the Tuberculosis (TB) patients in public sector hospitals and health centres.
Director Punjab TB Control Programme, Dr Abdul Majeed Chaudhry and other concerned officers were present in the meeting, which reviewed the steps taken for the control of TB in Punjab and facilities of diagnostic and treatment extended to the patients. Dr Abdul Majeed Chaudhry highlighted the awareness programme and TB control activities. He said that Punjab government with the help of Global Fund is providing free medical treatment facilities and medicines to such patients under TB DOTS Programme. Salman stressed the need for an effective publicity/awareness drive against TB so that people could prevent themselves from the disease.
He shared his view with Professor Abdul Bari for further extending the treatment facilities and provision of diagnostic medical equipment for this purpose. Due to effective and vigorous surveillance, the ratio of detection and registration of TB patients have increased in Punjab, therefore, Global Fund should also enhance their cooperation, he said. Professor Abdul Bari assured that he will put all his efforts to enhance the funding from Global Fund to provide additional facilities to the TB patients.