The prices of medicines in Pakistan have surged by up to 35% in recent months, making access to basic health care more expensive, creating challenges for individuals seeking medical treatment.
The prices of medicines have increased by 8 to 35 percent during the past four months, according to Business Recorder.
The price of Cortisporin Eye Ointment has risen from Rs. 48 to Rs. 65, Caflam tablets from Rs. 337 to Rs. 371, Galvus Met tablets from Rs. 3,100 to Rs. 3,410, and Methycobal tablets from Rs. 250 to Rs. 300 per pack.
In addition, Surbex Z tablets have gone up from Rs. 370 to Rs. 440, SunnyD capsules from Rs. 375 to Rs. 450, Tricardon from Rs. 995 to Rs. 1,400, Ciproxin from Rs. 550 to Rs. 708, Panadol Extra from Rs. 40 to Rs. 50, and Prono injections from Rs. 2,700 to Rs. 3,352.
According to report, tese are the medicines most essential for the treatment of fever, heart diseases, infections, weakness, and eye problems. Most medicines, especially those used for treating chronic illnesses, have become unaffordable for the average consumer.
The interim government of Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar approved a deregulation policy in February 2024 on the recommendation of the Ministry of National Health, allowing companies to freely increase prices of non-essential medicines.
The objective of this policy was to support the struggling pharmaceutical industry and ensure the availability of financially unsustainable medicines.
Shaukat Awan, manager of a major pharmacy chain, said that medicine prices are rising on a monthly and sometimes even weekly basis, causing patients’ bills to be higher with every purchase compared to the previous one.
