PM directs authorities to bring down drug prices 'to realistic level'
Firdous Ashiq Awan briefed the media after the meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Tuesday directed the concerned authorities to bring down prices of medicines to a realistic level after consultation with all the stakeholders.
Special Assistant to the PM on Information, Firdous Ashiq Awan briefed the media after the meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad.
She said a meeting with the representatives of pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders will be held soon to bring down the prices of medicines.
Special Assistant to the PM on National Health Services Dr Zafarullah Mirza briefed the cabinet on his findings regarding increase in the drug prices.
She said PM Khan also directed the cabinet members to introduce policies in the public interest and improve their performance in order to resolve the issues faced by the people.
Awan said the PM had already assigned targets to his economic team led by Adviser on Finance Dr Hafeez Sheikh in order to create a people-friendly budget.
The cabinet decided to have check on the prices of essential items during the holy month of Ramadan and keep an eye on hoarders and cartels.
Referring to PM’s upcoming visit to China, Awan said a better Free Trade Agreement will be signed with China in order to protect our local industry.
Federal Cabinet was informed on Tuesday that prices of drugs will be brought down in consultation with all stakeholders.
She said the Cabinet meeting was told that additional amount charged by these companies will be recovered by the government and submitted in Pakistan Baitul Maal. This amount will be used to provide free treatment to poor patients of various diseases.
Special Assistant to the PM said the cabinet was briefed on inflation and rising prices of essential items. The cabinet also decided to check on prices of essential items during the holy month of Ramazan and keep an eye on hoarders and cartels.
She said the inflation during the last eight months of this government is still less comparing with the same period of previous two governments.
Awan said the PM directed all ministers to introduce policies in public interest and improve their performance in order to resolve the issues faced by public.
She said the cabinet also discussed the LNG agreements signed by previous government which were expensive and not in interest of Pakistan. She said the new LNG agreements will be transparent and based on competitive pricing.
The cabinet endorsed the policies of PM Khan and his vision of democracy that is free from corruption and functions only to empower the common man and reduces their issues.
Referring to PM’s upcoming visit to China, Firdous Ashiq Awan said a better Free Trade Agreement will be signed with China in order to protect our local industry.
The Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood apprised the cabinet that 450 Pakistani businessmen will visit China to look for business opportunities that would translate into more production, job opportunities and poverty reduction in the country.
Special Assistant to the PM said the cabinet members congratulated the PM on his successful visit to Iran which was extremely important in present context.
She said we have to increase our trade with immediate neighbors to reap the bilateral benefits. She said the visit also proved successful in removing the misunderstandings between the two brotherly countries.
