ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) notified the maximum retail prices of 25 life-saving drugs this week, fixing the cost of 30 tablets of Lorviqua, which is used to treat adults with non-small cell lung cancer, at Rs846,857.

DRAP suggested raw material import for medicines from China earlier this year, pointing to the fact that the government could make payments in the Chinese currency after agreeing on a mechanism with the authorities in Beijing.

The proposal was floated after months of restrictions imposed by the country on the import of luxury and essential items due to Pakistan’s depleting foreign exchange reserves.

Local pharmaceutical manufacturers also noted the cost of raw material for medicines had significantly increased amid an acute shortage following the imposition of 17 percent general sales tax.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (a) of section 7 of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan Act, 2012 (XXI of 2012) read with section 12 of the Drugs Act, 1976 (XXXI of 1976), the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan with the approval of the Federal Government is pleased to fix maximum retail prices [of 25 medicines],” a notification issued on Tuesday said on top of a table specifying the revised prices.

Among the life-saving drugs mentioned in the notification, the maximum retail price of 10 tablets of paracetamol has been fixed at Rs192.

It said that 10 tablets of Zerbaxa, which helps treat urinary tract and intra-abdominal infections, would have a maximum cost of Rs153,566.

The prices of medicines in Pakistan are much higher compared to other countries in the region since most of them are imported from abroad.

Additionally, Pakistan’s national currency has rapidly lost its value against the United States dollar in recent years, which has also affected its trade and market prices of various products.