SLAMABAD: The federal cabinet committee has approved the prices of 52 newly registered life-saving medicines, paving the way for their legal sale across the country after final approval by the federal cabinet.
The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, attended by Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, the health secretary, and officials of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
The approved medicines include treatments for cancer, diabetes, hemophilia, and Parkinson’s disease. Among them is Keytruda, a modern immunotherapy drug used to treat more than 20 types of cancer worldwide. Other approved medicines include Nivolumab, Dasatinib, Meropenem, and insulin.
Following cabinet approval, DRAP will issue an official notification, allowing the medicines to be legally marketed in Pakistan.
Health ministry officials stressed the need for swift approval due to difficulties faced by patients, emphasizing transparency and public interest in drug pricing decisions.
Authorities said delays had forced many patients to rely on unregistered, smuggled, or expensive imported medicines. They added that the decision is expected to improve access to quality medicines while reducing dependence on illegal drug supplies.
