40 registered life-saving medicines remain out of patients’ reach

Thousands of Pakistani patients suffering from critical illnesses are being denied access to approximately 40 new life-saving medicines, even after they have been registered by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap). The federal government's failure to approve their prices has stalled their legal marketing, forcing patients to seek expensive, smuggled, or unregistered alternatives.

Critical treatments for cancer, diabetes, hemophilia, Parkinson's disease, and other serious conditions are caught in this bureaucratic delay. Medicines like Keytruda and Nivolumab for advanced cancer, Humador insulin for diabetes, and treatments for autoimmune diseases, hemophilia, and severe bacterial infections are among those awaiting price notification.

According to Drap, the Drug Pricing Committee finalized recommendations for these medicines between December 2024 and June 2025. These recommendations were endorsed by the Drap Policy Board and sent to the federal government for final approval, which remains pending. While prices for an earlier batch of 35 medicines have been approved, the remaining 40 are awaiting clearance from the Cabinet Committee and the federal cabinet.

Abdul Samad Buddani, Chairman of the Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association, highlighted the severe consequences. "When patients or their families cannot find these medicines through licensed pharmacies, they are left with little choice. Ultimately, they turn to smuggled or unregulated products. That exposes them to medicines whose quality, storage conditions and authenticity cannot be verified, putting both treatment and lives at risk," he stated.

The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association has urged the federal government to expedite the approval process, emphasizing the urgent need to make these essential medicines accessible to patients.

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When patients or their families cannot find these medicines through licensed pharmacies, they are left with little choice. Ultimately, they turn to smuggled or unregulated products. That exposes them to medicines whose quality, storage conditions and authenticity cannot be verified, putting both treatment and lives at risk.