PMA claims govt misleading nation about drug price cut.

Byline: Ikram Junaidi

ISLAMABAD -- The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has accused the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) of misleading the nation by claiming that the federal cabinet has reduced prices of 89 medicines at its meeting held on Dec 24.

The representative body of doctors said it was a six-month-old decision which had been announced again after the recent cabinet meeting. It also shared a notification of the Ministry of NHS, dated June 19, in which pharmaceutical companies were directed to reduce prices of 89 medicines.

However, the Ministry of NHS has denied the allegation and claimed that six months ago just an advisory had been issued regarding reduction in prices of drugs and now finally the government had taken the decision to reduce prices.

On Dec 24, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, while talking to media persons, said the federal cabinet had decided to reduce prices of 89 medicines by 15 per cent.

Health ministry says six months ago only an advisory was issued but now final decision has been taken

In a statement, the PMA said it was shocked to learn about the notification regarding reduction in prices of 89 medicines by 15pc announced at a press conference by SAPM Dr Mirza and SAPM on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan after the cabinet meeting.

The PMA said the same notification had been issued by the government on June 19 without being implemented, adding that it had been noted that many essential drugs were either not available or were in short supply in the market.

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