ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday formed 18-member committee, led by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, to discuss the demand of increase in the prices of medicines.
بریکنگ
فارما کمپنیوں کی جانب سے ادویات کی قیمتوں میں 40فیصد تک اضافے کا مطالبہ
حکومت نے ادویات کی قیمتوں میں اضافے کے حوالے سے کمیٹی قائم کر دی pic.twitter.com/J2IcsGlG2s— MM News (@mmnewsdottv) November 30, 2022
Local pharma manufacturers in Pakistan had been demanding to increase prices of medicines by 40%, and to remove sales tax, citing rupee devaluation and cost of production.
Also read: GSK continues to make, supply Panadol products in Pakistan: Patel
In June this year, it was reported that more than 150 domestic pharmaceutical companies were on the verge of closure due to the alleged destructive policy of controversial policy of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, which was likely to lead to unemployment of thousands of employees. And, despite paying billions of rupees in taxes, the companies almost came to a standstill.
According to notification issued today, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar will head the government’s committee while other members include Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel, Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Advisor to Prime Minister on Establishment Ahad Khan Cheema,
SAPM on Government Effectiveness Dr Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan, Federal Secretary Health Dr Fakhre Alam and Secretary Board of Investment Fareeha Mazhar.
The committee will discuss the price increase of medicines with the companies, besides reviewing the exiting Drug Pricing Policy 2018 and its amendments.
It will submit a report to the prime minister, proposing ways to implement the request of the local and multinational pharmaceutical companies.
