High court suspends hike in drug prices.

PESHAWAR -- A Peshawar High Court bench on Thursday suspended until further orders the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan's recent notification allowing pharmaceutical companies to increase medicine prices by 15 per cent.

Justice Ikramullah Khan and Justice Mussarat Hilali asked the government to ensure strict compliance with the court's order.

The bench ruled that strict action should be taken if any pharmaceutical company tried to create the shortage of essential drugs in the market.

Asks govt to act if any company tries to create shortage of essential drugs

The bench issued notices to the secretary of the National Health Services and Regulations Ministry and Drap chief executive seeking their replies to a petition filed by a resident of Peshawar, Asmatullah Khan, who requested the court to declare illegal the impugned notification issued on Jan 10 by the Drap.

The bench fixed Feb 5 for the next hearing into the petition.

The petitioner requested the court to declare the notification a violation of Articles 9 and 38(D) of the Constitution, which said no person should be deprived of life or liberty; and, that the State should provide basic necessities of life such as food, clothes and medical relief to its citizens.

The respondents in the petition are the federation of Pakistan through secretary of the National Health Services Ministry; Drap through its chief executive; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government through chief secretary; provincial health secretary; director general (health services), and Drap director (costing and pricing).

Noor Alam Khan, lawyer for the petitioner, said on Jan 10, the Drap had increased drug prices by exercising its power under Section 7 of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan Act, 2012, read with Section 12 of the Drug Act, 1976.

He said...