The federal government has approved prices for 52 additional essential medicines. The decision is expected to improve access to important treatments across Pakistan.
The approved medicines cover several major health conditions. They include treatments for cancer, hypertension and diabetes.
The list also contains medicines for respiratory diseases. Some vaccines for infectious diseases are included as well.
Former Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) chairman Dr Kaiser Waheed confirmed the development. He said a Cabinet Committee recently approved the prices.
The committee was formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review drug pricing matters. Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired the committee meeting.
The latest decision increases the total number of medicines with approved prices. The government has now approved prices for 87 essential medicines within four months.
In April 2026, authorities approved prices for another 35 essential medicines. The latest approval covers an additional 52 medicines.
Pharmaceutical companies are now waiting for the official notification. The formal notification will allow manufacturers to begin the next steps.
According to Waheed, companies need approval before manufacturing or importing the medicines. He estimated that the process could take one to two months.
Industry representatives welcomed the decision. They said approved prices could help resolve shortages of several important medicines.
Some medicines had remained unavailable because their prices were not fixed. Patients consequently faced difficulties obtaining certain treatments.
Some patients reportedly turned to expensive alternatives. Others relied on medicines brought into the country through unregulated channels.
Former PPMA chairman Tauqeerul Haq said patients would benefit most from the decision. He highlighted people requiring advanced treatments for major diseases.
Cancer, hypertension and diabetes patients could particularly benefit from improved availability. He said manufacturers would now have greater certainty over supplying these medicines.
Haq also noted that formal pricing could support pharmaceutical exports. Companies would have clearer regulatory conditions for producing approved medicines.
The Cabinet Committee reviewed recommendations from relevant drug authorities. These included the Drug Pricing Committee and DRAP Policy Board.
The meeting was attended by other federal ministers as well. Mustafa Kamal and Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj participated in the discussions.
The government’s latest decision focuses on improving medicine availability. It also aims to provide pharmaceutical companies with greater clarity.
However, manufacturers are still awaiting the formal notification. The notification is necessary before the approved prices can be implemented.
Once issued, companies can begin manufacturing or importing the medicines. The availability of these treatments could gradually improve over the coming months.
The approval of prices marks another step in the government’s efforts. Authorities are seeking to address medicine shortages through regulated pricing.
Industry representatives expect the decision to benefit both manufacturers and patients. Better supply could also reduce dependence on costly and unregulated alternatives.
The government has now approved prices for 87 essential medicines since April. Further action will depend on implementation of the latest approvals.
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