ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said on Thursday that the government is making all-out efforts to ensure the accessibility of affordable medicines for the common man.
The Premier chaired the Federal Cabinet meeting in Islamabad. Addressing the Cabinet, PM Kakar highlighted the formulation of policies aimed at benefiting both the general public and the pharmaceutical industry.
Prime Minister Kakar directed the preparation of recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan and urged expedited measures against hoarding and drug smuggling. Addressing the deregulation of drug prices, he called for suggestions to be submitted for the drafting of a legislative summary to be presented in the next elected parliament.
Federal Cabinet Approves Price Hike for Life-Saving Medicines
Responding to rising global raw material prices, the Federal Cabinet, based on the Ministry of National Health’s recommendation, approved an increase in the prices of 146 essential life-saving medicines. The Ministry and the Drug Regulatory Authority informed the meeting that citizens could file complaints about medicine unavailability through the online portal of DRAP.
In line with the Finance Ministry’s proposal, the Federal Cabinet sanctioned the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Competition Commission of Pakistan and the State Administration of Market Regulation China.
Furthermore, the Cabinet granted permission for Pakistani psychologist Muhammad Salim Khan Tareen to receive the Member of the British Empire award from King Charles III for his notable contributions to the field of psychology.
Moreover, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu was authorized to receive the Gold Medal for Aeronautical Merit from Italy, recognizing his services in enhancing cooperation between the Italian and Pakistani Air Forces.
