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The government has decided in principle to limit the powers of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and establish a new, independent body specifically tasked with overseeing the pricing of life-saving drugs.

The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA) has expressed optimism about the proposed regulatory body, anticipating that it will expedite the resolution of pending drug pricing cases and ensure that future pricing decisions are handled efficiently, thereby preventing medicine shortages.

A senior official from the health ministry noted that in many countries, drug pricing is managed separately from drug registration authorities. Implementing a similar separation in Pakistan could help address the recurring issue of drug shortages in the market.

“Recently, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a directive to separate the pricing department from DRAP and make it an independent body,” the official said, adding that a committee led by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar is actively considering this change.

The move aims to curtail DRAP’s powers and form a new body to oversee the pricing of life-saving drugs. “We hope that this may address the issues in Pakistan and ensure the availability of medicines in the market,” the official added.

Law Minister Tarar emphasized that regulation and pricing are distinct functions and suggested that provincial representation should be included in the new pricing body. The committee is also reviewing global and regional practices in drug pricing regulation to inform their decisions.

Earlier, in February, the caretaker federal cabinet, following a recommendation from the Ministry of National Health Services, approved the deregulation of prices for medicines not listed as essential.

The establishment of an independent drug pricing body is expected to streamline the pricing process, making essential medicines more accessible to the public and addressing long-standing issues within the pharmaceutical sector.

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