Patients and their families in Karachi are facing difficulties obtaining essential medicines, including advanced cancer treatments, vaccines, and other life-saving drugs.
Doctors and healthcare professionals say many critical medicines are currently unavailable or in short supply at retail pharmacies in Karachi. Patients are struggling to access treatments necessary for serious and chronic illnesses.
Industry sources clarified that the shortage is not related to regional conflicts. Most imported medicines and raw pharmaceutical materials in Pakistan come from China, which continues normal commercial operations.
The main cause of the shortage, according to pharmaceutical representatives, is delays in the official notification of medicine prices. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has already submitted price fixation recommendations. However, the federal government has not yet formally notified the prices, preventing companies from legally importing or supplying these medicines.
Several modern anti-cancer therapies, including treatments for leukemia and other advanced malignancies, are among the medicines affected by the shortage. Doctors warn that these delays could compromise patient care in Karachi.
Market sources added that some vaccines and medicines for chronic diseases are also experiencing supply issues. Patients relying on these drugs are being directly affected, and pharmacies report increased demand for limited stock.
Healthcare experts are urging the government to speed up price notifications to restore normal medicine availability. Timely action is seen as critical to prevent worsening shortages in Karachi.
Industry officials said that resolving the pricing delay would allow pharmaceutical companies to resume imports and distribution, ensuring patients in Karachi can access necessary medicines without further delay.
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The shortage has raised concerns among doctors and patients alike, highlighting the importance of government coordination with the pharmaceutical sector to maintain stable access to essential healthcare products.
