MNA accuses pharma firms of creating drug shortages to hike prices

ISLAMABAD – Members of the National Assembly raised alarm over what they described as a growing artificial shortage of life-saving medicines in Pakistan, especially diabetes drugs, accusing pharmaceutical companies of manipulating supply to benefit from black market profits.

Speaking during the question hour, MNA Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro criticized the unavailability of essential medicines in hospitals and pharmacies. She alleged that while these drugs were missing from shelves, they were still easily available in black markets at inflated prices. “This is not a coincidence,” she said, claiming it was a deliberate act to exploit patients.

In response, Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services Nelson Azeem rejected claims of deliberate shortages. He stated that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) had not received formal complaints of diabetes drug unavailability. He also assured lawmakers that Pakistan’s medicine prices remain comparable to or lower than those in regional countries.

Azeem noted that DRAP is promoting the local production of generic medicines and has simplified registration procedures to make essential drugs more affordable. He added that legal action was taken against four pharmaceutical companies caught overcharging, and that DRAP’s teams are conducting market surveys to check prices.

Despite these assurances, several lawmakers, including MNA Samina Khalid Ghurki, voiced dissatisfaction. Ghurki questioned the continuous monthly increase in prices of essential medicines and called for stronger enforcement. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also urged authorities to provide clearer answers, noting that the issue of shortages was being raised repeatedly in Parliament.

Minister of State for Health Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Malik acknowledged that some branded drugs may be in short supply, but insisted alternatives with the same active ingredients were available. He said a detailed report on the impact of deregulating non-essential medicines would be submitted to the Prime Minister soon and shared with Parliament.

Still, many MPs remained unconvinced, demanding immediate action to ensure availability and affordability of life-saving medicines for patients across Pakistan.