EAD Minister Calls For Revising DRAP Regulatory Framework
ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Aug, 2026)
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment Division, Senator Ahad Cheema, has directed the Ministry of National Health Services and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to urgently revise the regulatory framework governing drug pricing, including changes to the Hardship Policy and composition of the authority's Policy Board.
He emphasized the need for a clear focus on protecting consumers from unjustified price increases while ensuring the availability of essential medicines.
Senator Ahad Cheema expressed dissatisfaction with DRAP's existing formula for determining increases in medicine prices, stating that the current mechanism requires a comprehensive review to ensure any price revision is transparent, evidence-based, and fully justified.
He directed DRAP to:
- Review and strengthen the price-increase formula with greater scrutiny and independent checks.
- Finalize and present revised rules governing the Hardship Policy at the earliest opportunity for approval.
- Revise the composition of the DRAP Policy Board to include a Health Economist and a Public Health expert.
The Federal Minister stressed that the revised framework should ensure hardship provisions provide relief only in genuine cases, preventing the transfer of disproportionate commercial costs to patients.
"Drug-pricing decisions have a direct impact on millions of households," said Senator Ahad Cheema. "Our regulatory framework must combine pharmaceutical sustainability with affordability and strong consumer protection."
During the meeting, DRAP officials briefed the Federal Minister on the existing Hardship Policy and its application to essential medicines. Senator Ahad Cheema noted that importers often seek relief under this policy and subsequently price increases, prompting a need for revised rules addressing this issue.