Govt allows pharma companies to set prices of non-essential drugs

February 20, 2024 (MLN): The Federal Government has allowed pharmaceutical companies to sell medicines that are not included in the National List of Essential Medicines (NEML) at prices fixed by themselves, said a notification issued by the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations, and Coordination on Monday.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 36 of the Drugs Act, 1976, the Federal Government, being of the opinion that the public interest so requires, is pleased to exempt all drugs and biologicals not included in the National Essential Medicines List (NEML) from the operation of Section 12 of the said Act,” the notification reads.

To note, Section 12 of the Drugs Act 1976 gives the power to fix the maximum price at which any drug specified in the notification is to be sold and specify a certain percentage of the profits of manufacturers of drugs to be utilized.

This is in accordance with the rules for purposes of research in drugs.

Essential medicines are those which satisfy the primary healthcare needs of the population, as explained by the the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).

These are intended to be available within the context of functioning of health system at all times, in adequate amounts, in the appropriate dosage form with assured quality, and at a price that the individual and community can afford.

The model list of essential medicines as published by the World Health Organization can be found on the DRAP's website.

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