The Cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) postponed its decision on Thursday to raise the maximum retail prices (MRPs) of 262 medications.
Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, the federal minister of finance, chaired a meeting of the Cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).
The ECC took into consideration the report provided by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation, and Coordination about the approval of the increase in the maximum retail prices (MRPs) of 262 pharmaceuticals under the hardship category, as suggested by the Drug Pricing Committee (DPC) in its 56th and 57th meetings. The summary was found to lack essential analysis and explicit suggestions; hence, it was rejected.
It is important to note that the ECC reviewed a report from the Ministry of National Health Services on the approval of a 262-drug MRP increase, which was suggested by the DPC in its 56th and 57th meetings on November 15.
Following extensive debate and consideration, the ECC at the time requested that the ministry present well-informed and thoughtful proposals by Tuesday, which included a proper and prudent review of the pricing system.
In addition, the ECC requested that the ministry work with the provincial health departments to ensure that the recommendations are finalised in a way that addresses industry concerns and safeguards the interests of sick consumers already experiencing inflationary pressures in a reasonable, fair, and regulation-based manner.
