Tag: public health

  • Public health concerns mount as essential drug prices increase

    Public health concerns mount as essential drug prices increase

    The interim government announced on Wednesday a price adjustment affecting 146 essential drugs, aligning with the decision made by the federal cabinet on February 1, 2024.

    The Ministry of National Health Services and Regulations issued a notification invoking its authority under Section 36 of the Drug Act 1976, stating that all drugs and biological substances not included in the National Essential Medicines List are exempt from Section 12 of the act in the public interest.

    This decision stems from a federal cabinet meeting chaired by interim Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar on February 1, 2024. The move, categorised under hardship, was endorsed based on the recommendation of the National Health Services Ministry. The ministry highlighted the escalating costs of raw materials for drug manufacturing in the global market.

    Officials from the National Health Services Ministry and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) informed the cabinet that citizens could report medicine unavailability through the pharmaceutical industry regulator’s online portal.

    Primarily targeting vital medications like those for cancer treatment, vaccines, and antibiotics, the decision, communicated through a drug price hike notification, was based on a proposal from the Drug Regulatory Authority, suggesting price increases for 262 medicines. However, the government opted to implement adjustments for 146 medicines crucial to saving lives.

    According to Brecorder, among the medicines listed for price increments, pharmaceutical companies are tasked with adjusting the prices of 116 medications.

    Significantly, the government will now oversee the prices of 464 medicines included in the National Essential Medicines List, ensuring the accessibility of critical medications to the public.

    The government’s decision to deregulate drug prices grants pharmaceutical companies autonomy to adjust prices independently, marking a significant shift in pharmaceutical pricing governance that may reshape the healthcare industry’s landscape.

    As stakeholders assess the implications, concerns regarding affordability and access to life-saving medications emerge. While the government seeks to balance the viability of pharmaceutical companies with public health interests, the consequences of these adjustments warrant scrutiny and debate.

    However, following the cabinet’s approval of the price increase, a shortage of essential drugs was observed in both the wholesale and retail markets. Drug distributors and retailers attribute this to manufacturers awaiting formal notification from the Health Ministry regarding the price increase before releasing supplies to the market.

    This practice has resulted in significant patient suffering, as Mohammad Samiullah Awan, a drug retailer, highlights. While the notification’s issuance may ensure medicine availability, it further burdens already financially strained consumers grappling with price hikes.

  • Health activists urge govt to impose higher taxes on cigarettes for public welfare

    Health activists urge govt to impose higher taxes on cigarettes for public welfare

    Health activists and civil society organizations are calling on the government to impose higher taxes on cigarettes in the upcoming 2023-24 budget, signaling a potential increase in smoking costs for Pakistani consumers.

    Advocates argue that regular tax hikes on tobacco products, in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), are necessary to combat the detrimental effects of smoking in the country.

    Sanaullah Ghumman, representing Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), emphasised the importance of consistent taxation on cigarettes, urging the government to align with WHO guidelines. Ghumman’s plea reflects the growing concern over the devastating health consequences associated with tobacco consumption.

    Malik Imran, Country Head of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), highlighted the impact of the government’s recent decision to raise the Federal Excise Duty (FED) on cigarettes in February 2023. This move generated an additional Rs11.3 billion in FED revenue for the fiscal year 2022-23, marking a 9.7 per cent increase from the previous year. Moreover, an extra 4.4 billion in VAT revenue was collected during the same period, representing an 11.5 per cent rise. These figures amount to a substantial boost of 15.7 billion, contributing 0.201 per cent to Pakistan’s struggling economy.

    Imran dismissed the tobacco industry’s claims of illicit trade as a diversion tactic to undermine the benefits of increased taxation. He emphasised that the economic gains resulting from higher prices indicate the viability of this approach, which aids in curbing smoking-related healthcare costs.

  • About 830,000 Pakistanis left the country in 2022 in search of better jobs

    About 830,000 Pakistanis left the country in 2022 in search of better jobs

    The Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE) has reported a historic surge in emigrants seeking overseas employment in 2022, with a staggering 829,549 individuals registering for job opportunities abroad. Syed Agha Rafiullah, Parliamentary Secretary for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OPHRD), presented this data to the National Assembly on Wednesday, shedding light on the nation’s growing interest in international job markets.

    Rafiullah went on to explain that although 12.45 million Pakistani workers had registered for overseas employment opportunities since 1971, the COVID-19 pandemic had significantly impacted emigration numbers in 2020 and 2021. Only 224,705 and 286,648 Pakistani emigrants had been recorded in those years, respectively.

    To combat this decline, the government is actively pursuing a diversification strategy, seeking new international employment markets for its workforce. In this regard, the government has already established statements of intent on migration and mobility with Greece and the United Kingdom, and is hopeful of signing a similar agreement with Germany soon.

    Moreover, the ministry is currently in talks with 12 nations, including Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, Iran, Lebanon, Kuwait, Libya, Romania, Portugal, and Uzbekistan, to sign memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on personnel export. In addition, 24 social welfare attachés have been deployed to 16 countries to explore new opportunities for Pakistani labor.

    The government is committed to providing Pakistani emigrants with the necessary training in line with the host country’s labor market requirements, as determined by the host country’s Labour Market Analysis (LMA). These measures reflect the government’s proactive approach in promoting overseas employment and ensuring its workforce’s sustainable livelihood.