Amid concerns sparked by social media and unverified reports, the PPMA spokesperson clarified that despite a more than 20% surge in petroleum product prices, there has been no hike in the cost of critical medicines, including those that patients rely on daily to survive.
The association emphasized that government‑regulated drug prices have remained stable in recent months, and local manufacturers have absorbed rising production costs including import expenses for raw materials, freight charges, and fuel without passing the burden onto consumers.
‘Although input costs have climbed, the pharmaceutical sector has shown remarkable resilience and has not offloaded extra costs onto the public,’ the spokesperson said, adding that 90% of medicines used in Pakistan are manufactured locally, with ample stock of essential raw materials.
Key supplies such as antibiotics, diabetes medications, cardiovascular drugs, and vaccines continue to flow smoothly through pharmacies and medical facilities, the PPMA added.
However, industry representatives noted that delays in government notifications for pricing approvals especially for certain cancer therapies and newer vaccines, even after regulatory clearance from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) are hampering timely availability.
In response, the PPMA urged authorities to resolve policy bottlenecks and appealed to media outlets to avoid sensational reporting that could create unnecessary panic among patients. ‘Clear, responsible communication is as vital as the medicine itself,’ the association stressed.
