Islamabad, March 29, 2026: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) on Sunday rejected reports of a surge in prices of essential medicines, stating that no recent upward revision has been approved.
In an official statement, the regulator “strongly refuted” what it termed factually incorrect media reports claiming an unprecedented increase in medicine prices since February 2024.
The clarification comes after concerns raised by stakeholders, including Noor Muhammad Mehr, who cited a significant rise in the price of the insulin delivery device HumaPen Ergo II. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) maintained that essential medicine prices have remained unchanged despite a more than 20 per cent increase in fuel costs.
DRAP clarified that the prices highlighted in recent reports refer to the Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) already printed on medicine packs and insulin delivery devices manufactured in 2024 or 2025, and were incorrectly portrayed as new price hikes.
The authority reiterated that no new increase in prices of essential medicines has been approved in recent months, adding that pharmaceutical manufacturers are strictly prohibited from implementing unilateral price hikes for products listed under the National Essential Medicines List (NEML).
Addressing concerns about potential supply disruptions amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, DRAP said that medicine availability in Pakistan remains stable, noting that approximately 85 per cent of medicines consumed in the country are produced locally.
To further safeguard supply chains, the regulator has advised manufacturers to adopt contingency planning, including diversifying sourcing channels across different regions to mitigate risks arising from global uncertainties, including the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
Following a comprehensive review, DRAP expressed satisfaction with the current supply chain outlook for the coming months and assured that it is proactively monitoring drug availability to prevent shortages.
The authority also urged media outlets to verify information before publication to avoid causing unnecessary public concern.
