Islamabad: (RightNow) A decision has been made to review the formula for increasing medicine prices. Federal Minister Ahsan Cheema has instructed DRAP to rework the current formula and make immediate changes to the hardship policy.

A meeting on medicine prices was chaired by Federal Minister Ahsan Cheema. He expressed dissatisfaction with DRAP’s current formula and directed a comprehensive review.

Ahsan Cheema stated that relief under the hardship policy should be granted only in genuine cases, and government relief should reflect in medicine prices.

He added that passing additional costs to consumers after tax relief or government concessions is unacceptable. The method to rationalize importers’ and retailers’ margins should be included in the new hardship rules.

It is noteworthy that a directive has been issued to rationalize margins by approximately 40% in relevant cases. The Secretary of Health and DRAP CEO have been instructed to finalize the revised rules promptly.