ISLAMABAD: The number of allergy patients has increased fourfold in the federal capital in the wake of a persistent dry spell and the price of anti allergy medicines has been raised to three times its original amount. A Daily Times investigation revealed that pharmaceutical companies manufacturing anti allergy medicines have capitalised on the situation that arose out of the shortage of rainfall and made millions of rupees at the expense of patients. A pack of 10 tablets of Telfast was being sold for Rs 197 in the market three months ago – now it costs Rs 393. Likewise, other pharmaceutical companies also inflated the rate of their medicines. When contacted by Daily Times, the Chairman of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), Aslam Afghani, expressed his shock over the enormous increase in the cost of the medicines, stating that the DRAP was ignorant in this regard. He further stated that a few pharmaceutical companies obtained court stay orders to increase the cost but it was not known whether Sanofi Evantis was one of those companies. He thanked Daily Times, saying if there was any evidence then they would take stern action. Daily times repeatedly attempted to talk to the spokesperson of Sanofi Evantis regarding the investigation. They were told that the matter of increasing prices was subjudice since May of last year and therefore no comment could be offered.