LAHORE: The massive increase in prices of medicines has been challenged before the Lahore High Court for being made in violation of a notification of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap).
Nadeem Sarwar, a lawyer, assailed the new drug prices through a writ petition filed against federal and provincial health authorities.
He states the Drap announced hike in the prices of medicines by up to 15 per cent, but the pharmaceutical companies on their own increased the rates up to 100pc. He says medicines are the basic necessity of life, but after the price hike it has become impossible for the citizens to buy these.
The petitioner-lawyer points out that it is the government’s responsibility to provide health facilities to its citizens and control prices of the medicines, but it miserably failed to perform its constitutional duty.
He further states that the drug price hike is illegal as there is no formula for fixation of the prices and without such mechanism the prices cannot be fixed.
The petitioner urges the court to set aside the 100pc increase in the prices and also declare the Drap notification regarding 15 per cent increase illegal.
He asks the court to order the government for establishing a price fixing formula.
