Islamabad: Minister for Economic Affairs Senator Ahad Cheema has directed the authorities concerned to urgently revise the regulatory framework governing drug pricing. Presiding over a meeting on drug pricing in Islamabad today, he also directed the Secretary National Health Services and CEO Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to finalize and present revised rules governing the Hardship Policy at the earliest for approval.

According to Radio Pakistan, Senator Cheema instructed that changes be proposed in the Hardship Policy and the composition of the DRAP Policy Board, with a clear focus on protecting consumers from unjustified price increases while ensuring the availability of essential medicines. He directed DRAP to review and strengthen the price-increase formula, with greater scrutiny and independent checks to ensure that cost pressures are not automatically passed on to consumers through higher medicine prices.

Ahad Cheema also instructed the revision of the composition of the DRAP Policy Board to enhance expertise and evidence-based decision-making. During the meeting, DRAP officials briefed the Federal Minister on the existing Hardship Policy and its application to essential medicines.

Senator Ahad Cheema observed that importers of essential medicines often seek relief under the Hardship Policy and subsequently also seek an increase in prices. He emphasized that the revised rules must address this issue to ensure that the benefits provided under the Hardship Policy are appropriately reflected in the pricing structure, rather than resulting in an additional burden on consumers.

The Minister directed the Secretary National Health Services and CEO DRAP to incorporate an appropriate mechanism for the rationalization of importer and retailer margins.