Medicine prices cannot be increased until govt issues notification, orders SC
- By Web Desk -
- Nov 14, 2018
ISLAMABAD: While resenting absence of regular head of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered health secretary to prepare summary for appointment of the chief executive officer to run the body, ARY News reported.
Hearing suo motu case regarding increase in medicine prices, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar asked why the CEO of DRAP could not be appointed as yet.
He directed the health secretary to prepare summary for appointment of the CEO within two days and send it to the relevant authorities for consideration and approval.
The CJP further issued instructions that the relevant authority must decide on appointment of DRAP CEO in next 15 days.
Giving his statement before the court, attorney general said DRAP would submit its recommendation to the Federal Cabinet next week.
The notification will be issued about prices of medicines after approval of the Cabinet.
Justice Ejaz-ul-Hasan, in his remarks, said prices of medicines will not be increased until notification was issued by the government in this regard.
Makhdoom Ali Khan, who is representing the pharmaceutical companies, informed the court that the government and drug companies had reached an agreement in this regard.
He said rising rate of dollar would have an impact of prices of medicines, however, he added that until the government issued notification there will be no hike in medicine prices.