ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN: The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has pushed back against recent claims that medicine prices have soared by 32% since the government’s deregulation policy, asserting that the actual increase is closer to 15%, not the exaggerated figure circulating in official reports.
According to the PPMA, independent data compiled by global research firm IQVIA shows that medicine prices have risen by around 16% over the past year, while the 32% jump cited by authorities spans a full two-year window. The association clarified that when excluding new drugs introduced and expanded production lines, the average price hike for existing medicines sits around 13.5% — well within a manageable range.
The industry body defended the deregulation policy as a vital reform that has revived production and addressed critical shortages of essential drugs — including insulins, cardiac medications, and antibiotics — that had disappeared from shelves due to strict price controls, inflation, and severe rupee depreciation. Before deregulation, manufacturers warned that the pharmaceutical sector was collapsing under unsustainable costs, forcing several units to suspend operations.
The PPMA further stated that since the deregulation took effect, over 50 previously unavailable medicines have re-entered the market, improving accessibility for patients nationwide. However, the group urged the government to maintain a balance between affordability and sustainability, warning that erratic policies could again destabilize the sector.
While consumer advocates acknowledge the modest increase as a “market correction,” they continue to demand tighter oversight and transparency in price adjustments — especially for life-saving drugs. Experts also caution that future inflationary pressures or currency fluctuations could reignite pricing challenges if not managed prudently.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.