PIMA has voiced deep concern over an exuberant rise in medicine prices across Pakistan since the deregulation policy was implemented a year ago. The sharp increase in the cost of essential and commonly used medicines has created an unbearable financial burden, making basic treatment unaffordable for many, including middle-income households.
Prof Atif Hafeez Siddiqui, Central President of PIMA, said the situation is particularly alarming given Pakistan’s chronically underfunded health sector, where less than one percent of GDP is allocated to healthcare. The combination of scarce public resources and rising medicine prices has further restricted access to essential care for patients in both urban and rural areas.
He urged the government to take immediate corrective action in the public interest, stressing that while investment and local manufacturing are important objectives, they must not come at the expense of patients’ well-being. PIMA called for a comprehensive review of the deregulation framework and for effective mechanisms to ensure affordability and availability of essential medicines nationwide.
PIMA warned that without timely policy corrections and price oversight, the continued surge in medicine prices will deepen health inequities and strain household finances. The association said authorities should act to protect patients and sustain access to essential drugs across the country.
