KARACHI: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has rejected reports of a sudden surge in essential medicine prices, terming them baseless — but notably stopping short of calling them fake. The cautious choice of words has raised eyebrows, especially as social media and some outlets amplified claims of a 100–250 per cent hike in life‑saving drugs.
A DRAP spokesperson clarified that there has been no increase in the prices of insulin and other essential medicines, stressing that pharmaceutical companies are not permitted to raise prices independently.
“All necessary measures are being taken to ensure uninterrupted supply,” the spokesperson said, adding that the regulator had issued two advisories to companies.
The advisories directed firms to adopt multiple sources for raw material procurement, a step seen as vital since 85 per cent of medicines used in Pakistan are produced locally. Despite concerns over global supply routes, DRAP maintained that the supply of medicines remains unaffected.
Industry representatives also backed the regulator’s stance, noting that most companies hold sufficient stocks of raw materials and finished products to meet demand for the next four to six months. They dismissed fears of shortages, saying the market remains stable.
Experts believe DRAP terming reports of a surge in medicine prices as “baseless” — rather than “fake” — is seen as an attempt to maintain a legally cautious and technically precise stance, since “baseless” implies the claims lack credible evidence or factual grounding, without necessarily accusing the source of intentional deception, which “fake” would suggest.
This wording allows DRAP to dispute the validity of reports while avoiding potential defamation or legal exposure. It also reflects bureaucratic language often used to deflect criticism without escalating confrontation.
The controversy, it may be added here, stemmed from reports published across several media outlets, which claimed medicine prices had surged by over 100 per cent. DRAP’s denial, however, underscores that no official notification of price hikes has been issued, leaving the “price surge” narrative closer to misinformation than fact.
It is interesting to note that DRAP’s denial mirrors similar rebuttals in past years, such as 2019 rumors about 6,000 drugs and a 2023 clarification on life-saving medications, which were traced back to exaggerated social media narratives rather than official policy changes.
Industry body PPMA echoed this on March 27, rejecting parallel reports of medicine shortages and affirming sufficient stockpiles for months ahead.
