ISLAMABAD: A crackdown by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) in Karachi has revealed that pharmacies and medical shops are promoting medicines at 5-fold higher costs than the utmost retail value (MRP) accredited by the authority.
Following directions of caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan, the authority has launched a crackdown in opposition to drug profiteers throughout the nation and raids are being carried out on warehouses of wholesalers, distributers, pharmacies and medical shops.
According to Drap guidelines, pharmaceutical corporations can promote medicines at any value decrease than the MRP, however they can not exceed the MRP. For growing costs, pharmaceutical corporations must file circumstances with Drap pleading that medicines’ manufacturing prices have gone up and it isn’t viable for them to promote medicines throughout the current MRP.
According to the info formally shared by Drap, groups raided totally different medical shops of DHA, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Gulistan-i-Johar and different areas in Karachi.
“The Heparin Injection’s [used for decreasing clotting of blood] MRP is Rs800 however it was being sold for Rs3,500.
Similarly, a ache killer Tramal Injection, antibiotic Augmentin DS Suspension and Hydryllin cough syrup “have been being sold at higher charges than the MRP,” a well being ministry official stated.
He added that Ventolin Inhaler and Tegral tablets (really helpful for epilepsy and sufferers with bipolar dysfunction or temper dysfunction])have been additionally being sold at higher costs.
He stated medicines have been confiscated and medical shops sealed in the course of the crackdown.
The official stated that in an analogous crackdown in Lahore, it was revealed that medical shops have been over charging for medicines of tuberculosis, epilepsy, most cancers and different life-saving medicine.
“A pack of Tegral tablets [recommended for epilepsy] needs to be sold for MRP 260, however it was being sold for Rs1,300 and at some locations for Rs1,400. Rivotril [used for treating fits in infants, children and adults] has MRP Rs800, however was being sold for Rs1,000.
A pack of Zenax [used for treating anxiety and panic disorders] has a MRP of Rs278, however was being sold for Rs1,400. Ultravist Injection [used for clearly showing the organs such as kidney, bladder, heart, vessels or spinal cord on X-rays] has MRP of Rs3,418, however was being sold for Rs6,500,“ he stated.
The official stated a consignment of banned syringes was additionally confiscated in the course of the crackdown in Balochistan.
Health Minister Dr Jan stated authorized motion has been initiated in opposition to homeowners of medical shops promoting medicines at higher than the federal government-accredited charges.
“Just after taking the cost of the ministry, I had directed Drap to take motion in opposition to these concerned in promoting medicine in black markets. Drap will make sure that the standard of medication wouldn’t undergo and they might be sold throughout the MRP set by the federal government,” he stated.
Published in Dawn, November twentieth, 2023
