PESHAWAR
The Provincial Doctor Association (PDA) on Friday criticized the federal government for allowing pharmaceutical companies to increase prices of lifesaving medicine, saying the recent hike in prices of drugs would affect poor people access to quality health care in the province.
Citing the shortage of some key or lifesaving drugs, the federal cabinet in its meeting held on Thursday has approved to increase prices for eight drugs.
PDA in a statement said that life-saving drugs are removed from the market under a conspiracy and it is very unfortunate that instead of taking action against those responsible by the government and DRAP, the drugs are made expensive and then made available in the market.
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry while explaining the recent hike in medicine prices said that the decision was taken in order to end the unavailability of drugs in the market due to unrealistic prices, consequent selling of such drugs in the black-market and to ensure that they are locally available instead of being sold through unregulated channels at high prices.
The doctor community reiterated that the government is neglecting the sector, adding that attention should be given to the sector to improve its activities. The government should take stern action against those who encourage black market conspiracy in medicine market.
The federal government should immediately reverse the increase in medicines and stop trying to deprive the public of the right to treatment.
