Medicine Prices Surge Across Pakistan, Putting Patients Under Severe Financial Pressure

Rising drug prices are making healthcare increasingly unaffordable in Pakistan, forcing many patients to struggle just to continue basic treatment.

Main Content:
According to Beyond Time News, patients in Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar are facing a worsening crisis as medicine prices continue to rise due to weak regulation, supply chain disruptions, and policy challenges.

Global instability, including tensions involving Iran, has also disrupted pharmaceutical supply chains, increasing the cost of imported raw materials used in local drug production.

Since 2023, medicine prices have risen sharply—around 50% in 2024 and another 30–40% in 2025. The addition of sales tax has further increased the burden on patients already struggling with chronic illnesses.

In Lahore, patients report that even basic treatments are becoming difficult to afford. Many say monthly medication costs have doubled, especially for long-term conditions like diabetes.

Experts blame weak oversight after price deregulation, which has allowed pharmaceutical companies to set and increase prices with limited control, leading to frequent and unpredictable hikes.

The situation in Karachi is similarly alarming, with wholesale prices changing every few weeks. Patients with heart disease and high blood pressure say their monthly expenses have nearly doubled in just two years.

Shortages are also becoming common, particularly for essential medicines like insulin and antibiotics. In some cases, patients are forced to skip doses due to cost and limited availability.

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In Peshawar, pharmacists report rising prices and inconsistent supply of critical drugs, further adding to patient difficulties. Public hospitals are also unable to meet demand, leaving patients to purchase medicines from private pharmacies at higher prices.

Health experts warn that irrational prescribing habits and self-medication are worsening the crisis. They stress the need for better regulation and public awareness to ensure rational use of medicines.

Industry stakeholders point to multiple causes, including inflation, currency depreciation, and dependence on imported raw materials. Some experts also highlight the need to promote affordable generic medicines, which are significantly cheaper but still underused in Pakistan.

Conclusion:
Without urgent reforms in pricing control, supply management, and healthcare regulation, experts fear the medicine affordability crisis will continue to deepen, putting millions of patients at risk.