Shortage of medicines

There has been a shortage of medicines in the market as the number of coronavirus cases rises rapidly across the country. The prices of vital drugs and injections used by COVID-19 patients for treatment have skyrocketed and are not available in the market.

The government has taken stern notice against the profiteers but it needs to be seen if action will be taken against them. It is deplorable that opportunists are taking complete advantage of even a pandemic for worldly gains. The price of Acterma, though not a life-saving drug but which has now credible results, has doubled and could be sold at ten times the normal price.

The health sector in Pakistan lies in shambles and medicines are already very expensive. Large pharmaceutical companies have exploited the situation and the government now appears helpless against the price gougers. The number of ventilators has been reducing as hospitals are saturated and yet portable oximeters which measure oxygen levels are also been sold at exorbitant rates.

These medicines are the best hope for people fighting the contagion as no viable cure has yet appeared. Even pseudo-science treatments are being used and the prices of those herbal products have peaked. Let alone the price of hand sanitizers, masks and even antiseptic have been increased manifold while the quality has deteriorated. The price hikes are not due to increasing demand but rather the failure of the government to ensure availability of medicines at affordable prices.

Some life-saving drugs such as remdesivir, the only globally approved drug for coronavirus treatment, are not yet available in the country. The government has allowed two importers and twelve manufacturers but it is still not available nor has a price been determined. This should be investigated and its availability should be ensured as the lives of many critically-ill patients can be saved.

The health sector should be the top priority for the government amid the pandemic.  There should be strict oversight over the availability and distribution of medicines and other necessary equipment. The government should not allow another artificial crisis and take strict action against the profiteers who exploiting desperate people amid a crisis.