Muzaffarabad: The continues increase in various medicine prices has affected the affordability for every patient.
The capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Muzaffarabad faces the constant surge in the drug prices. This has caused the prices to rise beyond the reach of the impoverished.
Over the past year the prices of drugs have been increased several times. This price surge has also caused distress among the people.
Drugs used on a daily basis, such as those for heart disease, the flu, mental stress, diabetes, multivitamins, and allergy medications, have seen price surge of over 50 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023.
Many patients have begun taking medication every other day instead of daily due to additional price increases at the start of 2025. Going against the prescribed dose of their doctors.
Overall, 900 medicine formulations are registered in Pakistan and only a few companies operate in the Bhimbar district of AJK.
Among these, 400 formulations are classified as life-saving or essential, and 500 are categorized as non-essential. The prices of Non-Essential medicines have been deregulated. Whereas Essential medicines are allowed an annual price increase of up to 7 per cent.
As of current, there is an ongoing shortage of essential imported injections in the market. Allopathic medicines are exempt from taxes. Whereas an 18% General Sales Tax (GST) has been imposed on Alternative medicines since the year 2024.
Separtely, apart from a few medical stores, the public lacks trust in the medicines available at most outlets in Muzaffarabad. Data from the Director General of Health’s (DGH) office indicates that between June 2020 and June 2023, 9,056 medical outlets were inspected. 6,109 of these medical stores are not registered, compared to the 2,947 that are. In Muzaffarabad alone, there are over 1,500 medical stores, three-fourths of which are unregistered.
The open sale of medicines related to sexual health has reportedly disrupted many households.
The general public and various segments of society have called on the Azad Kashmir health department authorities to regulate medicine prices and implement proper checks and balances to curb the monopoly of medical store owners.
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