ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister has directed to bring the prices of the drugs down to realistic level after consultation with all the stakeholders, the Radio Pakistan reported.
While briefing media regarding the decisions of Federal Cabinet meeting in Islamabad, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (PM) on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan said that a meeting with the representatives of pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders will be held soon to bring down the prices of medicines.
Special Assistant to the PM on National Health Services Dr Zafarullah Mirza briefed the cabinet on his findings regarding the increase in the drug prices.
She said that the premier also directed the cabinet members to introduce policies in the public interest and improve their performance in order to resolve the issues faced by the people.
She said that the prime minister had already assigned targets to his economic team led by Adviser on Finance Dr Hafeez Sheikh in order to create a people-friendly budget.
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The cabinet decided to have a check on the prices of essential items during the holy month of Ramadan and keep an eye on hoarders and cartels.
Referring to the prime minister’s upcoming visit to China, Firdous Ashiq Awan said that a better Free Trade Agreement will be signed with China in order to protect our local industry.
Federal Cabinet was informed on Tuesday that prices of drugs will be brought down in consultation with all stakeholders.
She said that the Cabinet meeting was told that additional amount charged by these companies will be recovered by the government and submitted in Pakistan Baitul Maal. This amount will be used to provide free treatment to poor patients of various diseases.
She said the inflation during the last eight months of this government is still less comparing with the same period of the previous two governments.
Firdous Ashiq Awan said the cabinet also discussed the LNG agreements signed by the previous government which were expensive and not in the interest of Pakistan. She said the new LNG agreements will be transparent and based on competitive pricing.
The cabinet endorsed the policies of Prime Minister Imran Khan and his vision of democracy that is free from corruption and functions only to empower the common man and reduces their issues.
The Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood apprised the cabinet that 450 Pakistani businessmen will visit China to look for business opportunities that would translate into more production, job opportunities and poverty reduction in the country.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister said the cabinet members congratulated the Prime Minister on his successful visit to Iran which was extremely important in the present context.
She said we have to increase our trade with immediate neighbours to reap the bilateral benefits. She said the visit also proved successful in removing the misunderstandings between the two brotherly countries.
