PEW demands action against pharma mafia for artificial shortage of drugs

Lahore: The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Monday demanded forceful action against pharma mafia for creating artificial shortage of drugs to enhance profit.

Those playing with the lives of masses for the sake of money should be dealt according to the law, it said.

Avoiding any action against profiteers amounts to enmity with the masses which cannot be tolerated, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

He said that around fifty drugs are not available in the market which include many essential and lifesaving drugs but authorities have decided to ignore the issue.

The drugs not available in the market for patients include that of TB, cough, respiratory disease, lung problems and mental issues which has created a big problem, he said.

Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that pills of affordable folic acid have also vanished from the shelves which is used by pregnant women to avoid complications.

Costly tablets of folic acid are available that majority cannot afford which has increased birth related complications in mother and new-borns.

He said that only one company was producing affordable folic acid tablets which has discontinued it therefore authorities should make it mandatory for the pharma industry to manufacture essential drugs by more than one company.

This will also deprive pharma industry of an opportunity to blackmail government time and again.

The situation has left leading healthcare facilities impotent while situation in small towns and villages is alarming since months.