Cabinet Committee Approves Pricing of 52 Life-Saving Medicines, Final Cabinet Approval Pending
A federal cabinet committee chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has approved the proposed prices of 52 newly registered life-saving medicines, moving them one step closer to becoming available in Pakistan.
The recommendations will now be submitted to the federal cabinet for final approval. Once approved, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) will officially notify the maximum retail prices, allowing the medicines to be legally sold across the country.
Wide Range of Essential Medicines Included
The approved list includes medicines used to treat several serious and chronic health conditions, including:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Autoimmune diseases
- Haemophilia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Blood clot prevention
- High blood pressure during pregnancy
- Severe infections
- Intensive care and emergency treatment
- Vaccines and radiology contrast agents
Many of these medicines had already been registered by DRAP but could not be marketed because official prices had not yet been approved.
Decision Taken at Cabinet Committee Meeting
The pricing decision was made during the eighth meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Drug Pricing, which was established by the Prime Minister to review recommendations from the Drug Pricing Committee and the DRAP Policy Board.
Officials said all 52 pricing proposals recommended by the relevant committees were approved for submission to the federal cabinet.
Health Ministry Highlights Need for Faster Availability
The Ministry of National Health Services emphasized the importance of approving prices without further delay, stating that many patients have faced difficulties accessing newly registered medicines.
According to the ministry, delayed price notifications prevented these medicines from entering the regulated market, forcing some patients to rely on costly personal imports or unregulated supply channels.
Focus on Transparency and Public Interest
During the meeting, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stressed that decisions related to medicine pricing should remain transparent, evidence-based, and focused on serving the public interest.
He said the government must balance three key priorities:
- Ensuring patients have access to essential medicines
- Supporting a sustainable pharmaceutical supply chain
- Keeping medicines as affordable as possible
He also highlighted the importance of clearly communicating the reasons behind pricing decisions to the public.
Medicines Cover Multiple Critical Conditions
Among the medicines included are advanced therapies used in the treatment of various cancers, insulin products for diabetes management, medicines for autoimmune disorders, treatments for haemophilia and Parkinson’s disease, blood-thinning medications, antibiotics, anaesthesia drugs, vaccines, and several medicines commonly used in hospitals and emergency departments.
These medicines are expected to improve treatment options for patients once they become available through licensed pharmacies.
Pharmaceutical Industry Welcomes Decision
Representatives from Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector welcomed the committee’s approval, noting that companies cannot legally market newly registered medicines until official prices are notified by DRAP.
Industry officials expressed hope that the federal cabinet will approve the recommendations soon so patients can gain timely access to these medicines through the country’s regulated healthcare system.
Final Approval Still Required
The pricing recommendations are now awaiting final approval from the federal cabinet. After cabinet approval, DRAP will issue official price notifications, allowing the medicines to be introduced into the market for public use.
Health officials believe the move will improve access to quality-assured medicines while reducing reliance on unregulated sources for critical treatments.
