ISLAMABAD – The government has announced to withdraw nine percent increasemade in the prices of six hundred and twenty five medicines.
Announcement to this effect was made by Special Assistant on Health DrZafar Mirza while addressing a news conference in Islamabad today (Friday).
He said the reduction will have an annual impact of six billion rupees forthe consumers.
The special assistant pointed out that pharmaceutical companies alsoincreased the prices of four hundred and sixty four medicines from seventyfive to three hundred percent.
He said we have convinced the pharma companies to increase the prices byonly seventy five percent. The cumulative impact of this will be onebillion rupees.
Dr Zafar Mirza assured that the decisions regarding bringing down theprices of medicines will also be fully enforced.
He said the pharma companies have been asked to voluntarily bring down theprices of medicines by 20th of this month.
He said the government will go as a petitioner in the drug courts againstthe companies not voluntarily reducing drug prices.
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The extra costs will be recovered from the companies and submitted in FATADisease Fund of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal in order to provide free treatment topoor patients who could not afford the cure.
Special Assistant on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said present government desiresto completely transform the health sector with the aim to ensure universalhealth coverage for all the people.
He said our target is to bring improvement in the primary healthcare systemto achieve the goal of universal health coverage and reduce rush on themain hospitals.
The Special Assistant on health said he has also held talks with theprovincial health ministers and with collective efforts, revolution will bebrought in the health sector.
He said under the 18th amendment, health is a devolved subject, assuringthat mandate of all the federating units will be fully respected.
