Government committed to facilitate medicine industry: President Alvi

KARACHI: President Arif Alvi has said government was committed to provide every possible facility to medicine industry, ARY News reported on Saturday.

This he said, while talking to a delegation of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, who called on him, here in Karachi, to apprise him about the problems being faced by the medicine industry in the country.

The delegation was led by Chairman of the Association, Zahid Saeed, whereas Federal Minister for Health, Aamer Kiani was also present in the meeting.

The president said government is taking steps for provision of high-quality medicines at low cost to the people of Pakistan.

The delegation was assured of solution of their problem by the president and health minister.

Earlier this month, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) had announced to hike prices of medicines by up to 15 per cent.

A spokesperson for DRAP termed the hike to be in larger interest of the country and patients.

He said the increase in medicine prices was inevitable owing to various reasons. “The dollar increased by 30 per cent over the last year, which led to an increase in prices of raw material and packaging.”