DRAP directed to control overpricing of COVID-19 drugs.

ISLAMABAD -- Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) has directed the Drugs Regulatory Authority of Pakistan to ensure availability of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) medicines stressing to control the overpricing of them as well.

A statement released by the ministry of NHS said that Tocilizumab (Actemra) and Remedesivir injections used for management of COVID-19 patients are being made available by the government. The statement referring to the Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on NHS Dr. ZafarMirza said that these medicines will be distributed to critically ill patients through a robust mechanism to meet the needs of various hospitals. 'Over-charging of the Actemrainjection will not be allowed,' said Dr. ZafarMirza. He said that over charging on the approved prices of this lifesaving injection will not be allowed. Approved maximum retail price (MRP) for Actemra 80 mg injection is Rs11, 952 per vial whereas Rs29,882 for Actemra 200 mg Injection vial and Rs59, 764 for Actemra 400 mg injection vial. He said strict action will be taken against elements involved in the sale of over-charging or black markeering of life-saving drugs in accordance with DRAP Act 2012. He said that the public are encouraged to inform DRAP on its tollfree number 0800-03727 in case they have been over-charged for Actemrainjection.

He added that directions have been issued to the National Task Force on Eradication of Spurious and Substandard Drugs to apprehend black marketeers and over charging elements on approved prices of Tocilizumabinjection.

Tocilizumab injection is a humanised monoclonal antibody that is ordinarily used as an immune-suppressant agent in rheumatoid arthritis. The National Clinical Management Guidelines have included it for use in treatment of critically ill patients of COVID-19 who have Cytokine Release Storm (a condition which a subset of critically ill COVID-19...