Sir: The authorities in Pakistan give no thought to the welfare of the people. This is especially true when it comes to the health department. Besides lack of adequate facilities in government hospitals, the prices of essential medication, especially antibiotics, are increasing at a devastating rate. Pakistan is an underdeveloped country where a majority of people do not have adequate access to clean drinking water and good sanitation. These people are the perfect hosts to disease because of the life of squalor they lead. It is almost impossible for many people in such situations to get hold of the necessary healthcare and medicines to ease their pain. The government must establish some checks and balances to see that the prices of essential medicines stay stable. FAROOQ KHAN Rawalpindi