A recent crackdown by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) in Karachi has brought to light a concerning issue: pharmacies and medical stores selling medicines at prices significantly higher than the approved maximum retail price (MRP). Acting on directives from caretaker Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan, Drap launched a nationwide campaign against drug profiteering, conducting raids on warehouses, wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies, and medical stores.
According to Drap regulations, pharmaceutical companies are permitted to sell medicines at any price lower than the MRP, but they must not surpass it. Any increase in prices requires pharmaceutical companies to file cases with Drap, providing justification that the production costs have risen and selling within the existing MRP is not economically viable.
Official data shared by Drap indicates that teams raided various medical stores in Karachi’s DHA, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Gulistan-i-Johar, and other areas. The crackdown revealed several instances of overcharging, with medicines being sold at significantly higher rates than the approved MRP. For example, Heparin Injection, designed to decrease blood clotting, had an MRP of Rs800 but was being sold for Rs3,500. Other medications, including Tramal Injection, Augmentin DS Suspension, Hydryllin cough syrup, Ventolin Inhaler, and Tegral tablets, were also found to be sold at higher prices.
In response to the crackdown, confiscated medicines were seized, and medical stores engaged in overcharging faced closure. Similar initiatives were undertaken in Lahore, uncovering instances of medical stores overcharging for critical medicines related to tuberculosis, epilepsy, cancer, and other life-saving drugs.
Health Minister Dr. Jan emphasized that legal action had been initiated against the owners of medical stores involved in selling medicines at prices exceeding the government-approved rates. He assured that Drap would ensure the quality of drugs and their sale within the government-set MRP.
