KARACHI: The Federal Cabinet is yet to approve the prices of essential medicines and registration of new novel molecules duly processed and approved by DRAP since February 2019, thus depriving patients in Pakistan of cure from various critical ailments.
It has been learned that the cabinet has not yet approved the minutes of a meeting of the Drug Regulatory Authority's pricing committee held in February 2019.
This means that the DRAP has already approved these important drugs but failed to get the final approval from the cabinet for long.
These drugs and products are meant for stroke, flu, hepatitis B and E, breast cancer, malaria, inhalers, ADHD, rabies, etc.
"These drugs and products are easily available in other countries, but here in Pakistan, they are awaiting approval from the cabinet to reach the public," said a source.
The drugs and products include Eliquis Film-Coated Tablets, Apixaban Tablets, Vaxigrip textra, Octanate F, Caflam, Ritalin LA capsules, VEMLIDY Film Coated Tablet, Trimbow Inhaler Pressurized Metered Dose, Hecolin, Ibrance Capsule, Aubagio Film-coated tablet, IMOJEV Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine, Essentiale Forte Capsule, Pyramax, and Roan.
In this regard, the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Association requested the Chief Executive of DRAP to take up long-awaited DPC minutes of February 2019 before the Federal Cabinet for approval.
In a letter to Asim Rauf, the association stated that for the smooth availability of essential medicines, the DRAP ensured to take up long-awaited DPC minutes of February 2019 before the Federal Cabinet for approval.
"You will agree with us that these long-awaited DPC minutes include the prices of essential products on the list besides new novel molecules.
"Holding these minutes is directly affecting patients' quality of life. The same has been brought into your knowledge several times through official meetings as well as official memos," stated the PPMA.
In light of the above, stated the letter, the PPMA requests once again, to put your utmost efforts for getting DPC minutes approved through the cabinet in the best interest of patients of the country.
Meanwhile, the PPMA applauded the DRAP's firm efforts for handling COVID-19 emergency astutely and daringly.
-DN Report
