Govt to announce ‘National medicines policy’ soon: Dr Zafar

ISLAMABAD - Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Dr Zafar Mirza said that government is mulling over to present a new national medicines policy to regulate the pharmaceutical industry and controlling the prices of the drugs.

While addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Dr Zafar said that the new policy will be made in consultation with all stakeholders aiming to ensure the availability of life-saving medicines and to avoid the price hike.

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The minister informed that the new medicines policy will devise rules and regulations pertaining to maintain medicine’s quality as per international standard.

Minister of State for National Health Services also announced the decisions taken by the Federal Cabinet to reduce prices of medicines. Reduction in prices of 395 drugs notified vide SRO dated 31-12-2018 will be implemented in letter and spirit since the Sindh High Court has disposed of petitions filed by the pharmaceutical companies. Prices of drugs which had been increased by more than 75% will be brought down to 75% increase.