PMA warns of catastrophic medicine shortage, urges urgent government action

Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) raises alarm over nationwide medicine shortage crisis

KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has raised a grave alarm over an unprecedented and severe shortage of essential medicines across the country, warning that the crisis has escalated into a full-scale national health emergency. According to the PMA, at least 80 crucial medicines are currently unavailable in the market, with 25 having no substitutes, putting millions of patients at serious risk.

This shortage is not a minor inconvenience but a life-threatening reality for patients battling chronic and critical illnesses. Among the missing medicines are life-saving drugs for diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease, and psychiatric disorders. Patients are already reporting severe complications, with their conditions deteriorating rapidly due to the lack of treatment options.

PMA further explained that the unavailability of long-acting injectable insulin has left diabetic patients vulnerable to uncontrolled blood sugar levels, heightening the risk of kidney failure, blindness, and amputations. Similarly, transplant patients are exposed to life-threatening fungal infections because of the shortage of a critical antifungal drug.

The PMA emphasized that this crisis is not only a health issue but also a humanitarian one, as people are already struggling with severe financial hardships and overwhelming mental stress.

PMA recommendations

The PMA has called on the Government of Pakistan to take immediate and decisive steps to mitigate the crisis, outlining the following urgent measures:

• Implement an emergency pharmaceutical policy: Approve a pragmatic drug pricing framework that reflects actual production costs and ensures manufacturers can sustain the supply of essential medicines.
• Crack down on black market profiteering: Address uncontrolled black market activities that have pushed drug prices beyond reach. For example, the cost of a vial of insulin has reportedly tripled, making it unaffordable for most households.
• Establish a high-powered task force: Form a dedicated task force comprising representatives from the Ministry of Health, the PMA, and the pharmaceutical industry to make rapid decisions on imports, licensing, and production.

Accountability of DRAP

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), which is responsible for ensuring the availability of safe and effective medicines, has come under strong criticism from the PMA. While DRAP attributes the shortages to “international supply chain disruptions,” the PMA insists this explanation is insufficient and highlights serious domestic policy failures.

The PMA has demanded that DRAP be held accountable for its inaction and lack of foresight. It urged the authority to move beyond vague assurances and instead facilitate emergency imports, streamline regulatory approvals, and provide complete transparency about the measures being taken to resolve the crisis.

The PMA’s warning underscores that without urgent government action, Pakistan faces a worsening public health catastrophe that could claim countless lives.

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