FIDs seize seven drugs from pharma company’s warehouse for overpricing

ISLAMABAD: In continuation to a nationwide crackdown on overpricing/ unauthorized increase in prices of medicines, the Federal Inspector of Drugs (FIDs) inspected warehouse of a pharma company and seized seven drugs on overpricing in Islamabad.

Federal Minister of Health Aamer Mehmood Kiyani, Chief Executive Officer Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Asim Rauf, Director Pricing Amanullah and Additional Director DRAP Dr Obaidullah were also present on this occasion.

The FID checked the prices of various medicines sold to distributors, retailers and patients and seized seven medicines for overpricing and registered cases against the manufacturer companies in accordance with the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan Act 2012, Drugs Act 1976 and rules framed thereunder.

The federal minister instructed the DRAP to take strict action against the companies found involved in the overpricing/ unauthorized increase in the maximum retail price (MRPs) of their medicines.

“The unauthorized increase in the prices of medicine will not be tolerated,” he said.

The CEO DRAP informed that during market surveillance 284 cases had been registered against companies on overpricing throughout the country in last few days.

The DRAP has advised its inspectors to monitor manufacturers and market for overpricing on the medicines and process the cases as per law which recommended imposing heavy fines along with recovery of unauthorized increase in prices of medicines from the companies.