No action taken to rein in drug prices
Cost of 350 medicines has skyrocketed
PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
The government is yet to take any effective measures to reverse an unprecedented increase in the prices of medicines that has left them out of the reach of a large number of people amid rising inflation and unemployment in the country.
Prices of more than 350 drugs, especially life-saving medicines, have risen up to five-fold in recent years. In particular, an injection which has yet to be confirmed as being effective in curing coronavirus is being sold for up to Rs500,000.
The provincial government, health ministry and other authorities concerned appear to have no interest in ensuring availability of medicines to all citizens. Action in this regard by the officials concerned has not been witnessed in recent weeks. Pharmaceutical companies attributed the increase in the drug prices to a rise in the prices of their imported ingredients n the international market.