Historic reforms introduced in DRAP during current govt: minister

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry declared on Tuesday that the reforms implemented in the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) under the current administration were groundbreaking. In a National Assembly address, he highlighted that the shortage of influenza vaccines in the country would be addressed by the relevant ministries.

Dr Sharmila Faruqui raised the concern in a point of order; the minister acknowledged its importance and requested her to furnish the details of the shortage for the consideration of the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Health. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq instructed Dr Faruqui to submit the information in writing, which would later be forwarded to the appropriate ministers.

Dr Faruqui emphasized the grave situation of essential and life-saving medicines' availability throughout Pakistan. She disclosed that price revision cases for 105 hardship-category medicines remained unresolved at the federal level for over two years, despite recommendations from DRAP's Drug Pricing Committee. Critical medicines crucial for cancer treatment, cardiac emergencies, severe pain management, pediatric cardiac conditions, and glaucoma were either unavailable or in critically short supply.

She also brought attention to newly registered life-saving medicines that, despite being approved by the Cabinet Committee on Drug Pricing in July 2026, faced delays in price fixation and were not accessible through legal channels. The Speaker urged for urgent action with the Federal Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination and the Federal Cabinet to expedite the final approval and notification processes, ensuring timely availability of these crucial medications to patients.