The federal government has decided to introduce 35 new life-saving and modern medicines in Pakistan, including treatments for cancer, blood pressure, kidney, prostate, diabetes, and heart diseases.
The move also includes new-generation vaccines to prevent various infectious diseases.
According to official sources, the matter of fixing prices for these new medicines has been included in the agenda of the federal cabinet’s meeting scheduled for Wednesday, where approval is highly expected.
These medicines, developed with modern international formulas, have been in high demand across the country, but their availability in the local market remained restricted due to the absence of fixed pricing and formal registration.
“The matter of price determination and registration has been pending for the past two years,” said a senior health official, citing regulatory hurdles and delays in decision-making.
Once approved, the prices of all 35 medicines will fall under the government-controlled mandatory category, ensuring affordability and regulation. This will also pave the way for local manufacturing or import of these essential drugs.
