Medicines
ISLAMABAD: A recent operation led by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) in Karachi has exposed a disconcerting practice of pharmacies and medical stores selling medicines at prices up to five times higher than the approved maximum retail price (MRP).
The crackdown, initiated on the instructions of caretaker Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan, is part of a broader effort to curb drug profiteering, with raids conducted on warehouses, wholesalers, distributors, and medical outlets nationwide.
Drap regulations stipulate that pharmaceutical companies can price medicines below the MRP but must not exceed it. Any proposed price increases require a case filed with Drap, demonstrating a justifiable rise in production costs. However, the recent findings in Karachi reveal widespread non-compliance with these regulations.
During the raids in Karachi’s DHA, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Gulistan-i-Johar, and other areas, alarming instances were uncovered. The Heparin Injection, with an MRP of Rs800, was reportedly being sold for Rs3,500.
Medicines such as Tramal Injection, Augmentin DS Suspension, Hydryllin cough syrup, Ventolin Inhaler, and Tegral tablets were also found to be sold at significantly higher prices than the approved MRP.
The crackdown resulted in the confiscation of medicines, and several medical stores were sealed for non-compliance. Similar actions in Lahore revealed overcharging for crucial drugs related to tuberculosis, epilepsy, cancer, and other life-saving treatments.
Health Minister Dr. Jan affirmed that legal actions have been initiated against owners of medical stores found selling medicines above government-approved rates. He emphasized Drap’s commitment to ensuring the quality of drugs and their availability within the prescribed MRPs, asserting that the regulatory authority will remain vigilant against any malpractice in the pharmaceutical sector.
