Thousands of patients across Pakistan could soon gain access to dozens of essential medicines after a cabinet committee approved the prices of 52 newly registered life-saving drugs. The decision marks an important step towards making these medicines legally available through licensed pharmacies once the federal cabinet grants final approval.
The committee, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, endorsed the pricing recommendations during its eighth meeting. The approved list includes medicines used to treat cancer, diabetes, haemophilia, Parkinson’s disease, hypertension during pregnancy, autoimmune disorders and several other serious medical conditions.
Federal Cabinet to Make Final Decision
The Cabinet Committee on Drug Pricing reviewed recommendations submitted by the Drug Pricing Committee and approved by the Policy Board of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
Following the committee’s approval, the recommendations will now move to the federal cabinet for final endorsement. Once approved, DRAP will notify the maximum retail prices. As a result, pharmaceutical companies will legally market these medicines across Pakistan.
Officials said the committee approved the pricing of all 52 medicines recommended by the Drug Pricing Committee. Therefore, the process has moved one step closer to completion.
Health Ministry Highlights Urgent Need
During the meeting, the Ministry of National Health Services strongly supported immediate approval of the medicines’ prices.
Officials explained that many newly registered medicines remained unavailable because official prices had not been notified. Consequently, patients suffering from serious illnesses faced significant difficulties in obtaining essential treatments.
The ministry further stated that prolonged delays forced many patients to depend on smuggled, unregistered or costly imported medicines. As a result, many people faced additional financial burdens and potential health risks.
DRAP Briefs Committee on Pricing Cases
During the meeting, DRAP presented a detailed briefing covering new drug pricing cases, hardship applications and the overall availability of essential medicines.
The regulator also updated the committee on progress since its previous session. In addition, officials presented several pricing proposals requiring formal approval.
The discussion focused on improving access to critical medicines while ensuring the pricing system remained transparent and sustainable.
Government Stresses Transparency and Affordability
Addressing the meeting, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasised that medicine pricing decisions should remain transparent, evidence-based and consultative.
He said:
“The government must strike a careful balance between ensuring patients’ access to essential medicines, maintaining a sustainable pharmaceutical supply chain and keeping medicines affordable.”
He also highlighted the importance of explaining pricing decisions clearly to the public, particularly for medicines treating life-threatening conditions.
Which Medicines Have Been Approved?
The approved list includes several advanced therapies that had already received registration but remained unavailable because their prices had not been finalised.
Among them is Pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy medicine used to treat more than 20 types of cancer, including lung, breast, cervical, kidney, bladder, stomach and skin cancers.
Other approved medicines include Nivolumab, Irinotecan, Dasatinib and Leucovorin for cancer treatment.
The committee also approved Humador insulin for diabetes management, Adalimumab for autoimmune diseases and Recombinant Factor VIII for haemophilia A.
In addition, Carbidopa-Levodopa for Parkinson’s disease, Dabigatran and Heparin for blood clot prevention, Methyldopa for hypertension during pregnancy, Meropenem, Fosfomycin, Ketamine, vaccines, radiology contrast agents and several medicines used in intensive care units and emergency departments also received pricing approval.
Patients Could Soon Benefit
Health officials believe the decision will significantly improve patient access to quality-assured medicines through authorised pharmacies.
Moreover, easier availability may reduce dependence on informal supply channels where medicine quality, storage standards and authenticity cannot always be verified.
Representatives from the pharmaceutical industry also welcomed the committee’s decision. They explained that companies cannot legally market newly registered medicines until official prices are notified.
They further expressed hope that the federal cabinet would approve the recommendations without delay. If approved promptly, patients suffering from cancer, diabetes, haemophilia, Parkinson’s disease and several other serious illnesses could soon access these treatments through Pakistan’s regulated healthcare system.
