The Chief Executive Officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has released details regarding the recent massive increase in medicine prices during a briefing, revealing record hikes in the prices of several commonly used medicines.
According to the briefing, the price of Coldrex tablets recorded the highest increase of 1621 percent, with a packet previously priced at Rs 27 now costing Rs 475. Similarly, the price of the bone health medicine “Cal V” increased by 302 percent.
The price of the widely used medicine “Brufen” increased by more than 244 percent, while the price of the well known eye medicine “Polyfax” rose from Rs 34 to Rs 113. The medicine “Librax,” used for stomach and intestinal problems, saw a 241 percent increase in price.
The briefing further stated that the price of the allergy injection “Avil” increased from Rs 432 to Rs 1500, while the prices of the laxative syrup and drops “Laxoberon” were raised by up to 200 percent. The medicine “Stemetil,” used for nausea and dizziness, was also made 188 percent more expensive.
Speaking on the occasion, Mustafa Kamal said that they had never even accepted a cup of tea from any pharmaceutical company and that their objective was only to provide relief to the public. He added that such an extraordinary increase in medicine prices has placed a heavy burden on the common citizen.
