The government has decided to conduct a market survey to check medicine prices being charged in the open market.
According to sources, a Medicine Price Check Survey is expected to begin on August 10, with the report likely to be finalized by September 20. The survey will focus on the prices of the top 100 non-EML (Essential Medicines List) medicines.
Sources stated that the survey will independently assess the impact of deregulation on medicine prices. It will compare current prices with pre-deregulation rates to determine whether prices have increased. The survey will also examine the availability and sales trends of these medicines.
The Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) will provide funding for the market survey, while a private firm will carry out the post-deregulation medicine price check. Two private firms have submitted tenders, and the technical bids have already been opened, while the financial bids are yet to be reviewed.
The survey will be conducted in provincial capitals and two small cities, selected by the private firm. Data will be collected from pharmacies, hospitals, and distributors in both urban and rural areas.
The World Health Organization (WHO) will provide technical support for the survey, which will follow WHO’s standardized methodology. both WHO and DRAP will review the final report.
According to sources, the Prime Minister has instructed the post-deregulation medicine price survey. The caretaker government had deregulated the prices of non-essential medicines in February 2024.
