Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said on Tuesday said Pakistan’s Drug Pricing Policy 2018 will be reviewed soon after consulting with pharmaceutical industries.

As per details, the new drug policy will address issues like availability of medicines, procurement, pricing and quality.

Information about the shortage of medicines in the market has been received to Dr Mirza and he has started taking action to resolve the shortage crisis.

“I have instructed the DRAP task force, members of the authorities and representatives of the healthcare industry to look into the matter and submit a complete report in this regard,” he added.

DRAP has made a committee on the availability of medicines, which is supervising and ensuring the availability of essential medicines in the markets.

89 essential and lifesaving medicines will be made available in Pakistan at all costs, said the PM’s special assistant.

“The government and health ministry, on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s instructions, was keen to transform the health and pharmaceutical sector and increase the exports of medicines,” he added.

This new policy will facilitate the pharmaceutical sector and its capacity’s regulatory would be brought on par with international standards, said Dr Zafar.