On August 6, 2025, Transparency International Pakistan raised an urgent alarm over the soaring prices of medicines, exposing a troubling lack of transparency and weak enforcement of pharmaceutical policies.

In a strongly worded letter to Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal, the organization highlighted a staggering 3,000% to 4,000% price disparity for identical drugs in the local market, attributing the issue to monopolistic practices and regulatory failures.

Transparency International pointed to Aspirin 300mg as a glaring example, with prices ranging from Rs. 80 to Rs. 150 depending on the brand.

Other examples include Montelukast 10mg, priced at Rs. 3.07 for generics but Rs. 93 for branded versions—a 3,029% markup—and Omeprazole 20mg, costing Rs. 1.70 generically but Rs. 67.85 for branded equivalents, a 3,991% increase.

These discrepancies, the organization argued, stem from pharmaceutical companies exploiting market dominance and the failure to enforce a 2021 Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) directive mandating prescriptions by generic names.

The letter criticized DRAP’s inability to implement its own policy, which could slash medical costs by up to 90% for ordinary citizens.

“Medicines are a fundamental right of the people and must not be treated purely as a business commodity,” Transparency International stated, urging the Federal Minister for Health to take immediate action and introduce a clear, public-interest-oriented policy.

It urged the government to enforce generic prescribing across public and private sectors, adopt cost-effective procurement methods, and investigate non-compliance.

It emphasized that such measures could save billions annually, easing the financial burden on Pakistan’s low-income population, where out-of-pocket health spending accounts for over 50% of total health expenditure.