The Lahore High Court has suspended the notification of the federal government regarding deregulation of drug prices. The LHC on Thursday suspended the notification under which the federal government allowed the pharmaceutical companies to increase the prices of medicines without getting prior permission from the government. The court sought a reply from the federal government, secretary national health, Drugs Regulatory Authority and other concerned officials. In a policy shift, the federal government Wednesday deregulated drug prices, granting pharmaceutical companies the autonomy to independently raise prices. The government will only exercise control over the prices of 464 medicines featured in the National Essential Medicines List, ensuring that critical medications remain accessible to the populace. This move underscored a paradigm shift in the governance of pharmaceutical pricing, potentially reshaping the dynamics of the healthcare industry.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)