The federal government has announced plans to create a new independent regulatory body responsible for overseeing the pricing of life-saving drugs. This initiative aims to reduce the authority of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and tackle persistent issues related to drug shortages and unresolved pricing cases.
The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA) has expressed support for this new body, which is expected to function separately from drug registration activities—a practice commonly adopted in other countries—to ensure the availability of medicines in the market.
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This decision follows a directive from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with a committee led by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar currently reviewing international practices to guide the establishment of the new entity. The committee has also proposed including provincial representation in the body.
Earlier this year, the caretaker federal cabinet took the step to deregulate prices for non-essential medicines, a move that was welcomed by the pharmaceutical industry.
