Price Delay Blocks Access To Forty Essential Life-Saving Medicines

ISLAMABAD: (Health Reporter) – Around 40 life-saving medicines remain unavailable to patients across Pakistan as the federal government has yet to approve their retail prices, delaying their legal sale despite regulatory clearance.

The delay has left thousands of patients suffering from cancer, diabetes, haemophilia, Parkinson’s disease and other serious illnesses dependent on costly smuggled or unregistered medicines.

Among the medicines awaiting price notification are advanced cancer treatments such as Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) and Nivolumab, Humador insulin for diabetes, Adalimumab for autoimmune diseases, recombinant Factor VIII for haemophilia A, Carbidopa-Levodopa for Parkinson’s disease, Dabigatran and Heparin for blood clot prevention, Methyldopa for hypertension during pregnancy, Meropenem and Fosfomycin for severe bacterial infections, Ketamine for anaesthesia and emergency care, along with several vaccines and critical care medicines.

Although these medicines have been registered by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) after completing the required approval process, they cannot be legally marketed until the federal government issues notifications fixing their maximum retail prices.

According to DRAP, the Drug Pricing Committee finalized recommendations for the medicines between December 2024 and June 2025. The proposals were later approved by the DRAP Policy Board and forwarded to the federal government, where final approval is still pending.

The list includes internationally recognized treatments for life-threatening diseases, covering therapies for cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, haemophilia, Parkinson’s disease, hypertension during pregnancy, severe infections and blood clot prevention.

It also includes vaccines, radiology contrast agents, electrolyte solutions and other medicines commonly used in intensive care units and emergency departments.

Healthcare experts warn that prolonged delays in price approvals could limit access to essential treatments and increase the financial burden on patients who are forced to seek alternative sources.