The Supreme Court on Wednesday stopped the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) from increasing the prices of medicines in the country until appointment of a regular chief executive officer of the regulatory. The apex court was hearing a suo motu notice against the increase in prices of medicines. As the hearing got under way, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar expressed annoyance at the failure of DRAP to name a regular CEO and directed the regulator to keep the drug prices frozen until issuance of a notification by the government in this regard. “Why a regular chief executive officer has not been appointed by the DRAP despite the court’s order?” Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar questioned. The drug-makers’ counsel, Makhdoom Ali Khan, informed the court that the government and drug-makers had agreed on an increase in the prices of drugs due to the recent hike in dollar rates. “But there would be no increase in the drug prices until the government issues a notification in this regard,” the lawyer added. The deputy attorney general told the court that DRAP would forward its recommendations to the cabinet next week. A notification regarding the drug prices would be issued after the cabinet’s decision. Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan remarked that the drug prices would remain unchanged until an official notification is issued. Published in Daily Times, November 15th 2018.