DRAP increases prices of Panadol, paracetamol products

KARACHI: The Pakistani Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) has announced a price increase for paracetamol tablets. Paracetamol 500 mg tablets will now cost Rs2.35, Paracetamol Caffeine 500 mg tablets will cost Rs2.75 and Paracetamol Oral Suspension 5 ml will cost Rs117.

It is vital to note that the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet authorized the increase in Paracetamol pricing.

Previously, the National Health Ministry had rejected pharmaceutical corporations' demands to quickly increase the price of paracetamol tablets. 

The decision was made during a meeting hosted by Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel and attended by pharmaceutical company officials who discussed the availability of paracetamol and the issues facing the pharmaceutical industry.

The pharmaceutical industry wanted an immediate increase of Rs0.98 per tablet, putting the price of each tablet to Rs2.68. The health minister had out rightly opposed an immediate raise and proposed the price of per tablet at Rs1.70.