Islamabad (November 14, 2018): The Supreme Court on Wednesday stopped the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) from increasing the prices of medicines in the country until appointment of a regular chief executive officer of the regulatory.
The apex court resumed hearing a suo motu notice against the increase in prices of medicines earlier today.
As the hearing got under way, the chief justice expressed his annoyance at the failure of DRAP to name a regular CEO and directed the regulator to keep the drug prices frozen until issuance of a notification by the government in this regard.“Why has a regular chief executive officer not been appointed by DRAP despite the court’s order?” Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar questioned.
The drug-makers’ counsel, Makhdoom Ali Khan, informed the court that the government and drug-makers had agreed on an increase in the prices of drugs, due to the recent hike in dollar rates. But there would be no increase in the drug prices until the government issues a notification in this regard, the lawyer added.The deputy attorney general told the court that DRAP will forward its recommendations to the cabinet next week. A notification regarding the drug prices would be issued after the cabinet’s decision.
Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan remarked that the drug prices would remain frozen until an official notification is issued.
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