Medicines at affordable prices top priority, says Sherry
By Mona Khan

ISLAMABAD—The present government will encourage the pharmaceutical industry to make the medicines affordable for common man. Minister In-charge, Ministry of Health and Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Ms Sherry Rehman said this in a meeting here Thursday with a delegation of Pharma Bureau led by its chairman Juergen Koening.
The Health Minister however emphasized that pharmaceutical products in the market should have uncompromised efficacy, safety and quality.
Ms Rehman said, “Shaheed Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto’s desire and vision, which is now an integral part of the present government’s social sector agenda, is to guarantee that affordable medicines are available to the sick and needy.” The Minister highlighted that quality, affordability and accessibility of medicines shall be the main features of drugs policy in the health sector. Health is a high priority sector for us as we believe that the welfare of people flows from investing in the health of the people, she added.
The delegation informed the Minister that Pharma Bureau is an association of 23 multinational pharmaceutical companies and have about 50 percent market share in the Pharma market which is about Rs. 87 billion at the moment. Secretary Health Khushnood Lashari, Director General (Health) Maj. Gen ® Shahida Malik, and senior officers of the Ministry of Health also attended the meeting.