DRAP Live Forum Illustrates Public Outcry Over Drug Pricing, Delays, and Regulatory Vacuum under New CEO

Islamabad (Nadeem Tanoli) The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) held a live Khuli Kachehri on Facebook, by newly-appointed CEO Dr. Ubaidullah Malik,, to address public grievances on drug pricing, regulatory delays, and medicine availability. The interactive session, which lasted over an hour, drew questions from citizens, pharmacists, importers, and healthcare professionals, offering a candid glimpse into the challenges of Pakistan’s healthcare regulation.

The CEO opened the session by emphasizing Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) commitment to transparency, digital reform, and public service. A key focus was the recent rise in drug prices. CEO clarified that price adjustments are linked to the Consumer Price Index and inflationary pressures, including rising costs of imported raw materials. He added that hardship cases—where manufacturers find it unviable to produce medicines at capped prices—are being addressed with over 400 cases already cleared.

Delays in drug, device, and health product registrations emerged as a dominant concern. The CEO acknowledged the backlog and explained that DRAP’s Pakistan Integrated Regulatory Information Management System (PIRIMS), launched to streamline processes, is still overcoming teething issues. He urged stakeholders to use the helpdesk feature for resolution and assured that staff reinforcements have been made to clear medical device backlogs in the next few months.

The issue of online pharmacies drew significant attention. Malik announced that draft rules for digital advertising and e-pharmacies have been submitted to the Ministry of Law. Once passed, these will ensure that only pharmacies linked to licensed physical outlets and staffed by qualified pharmacists can operate online.

Drug shortages, particularly of essential and orphan medicines such as Desferal for thalassemia and epilepsy medications, were also discussed. DRAP attributed some shortages to global supply chain disruptions and reassured participants that special import permissions and coordination with manufacturers were ongoing to restore supply.

Public comments during the session revealed widespread discontent. Many viewers cited long-standing registration and pricing applications still pending since 2021. Others complained of medicine unavailability, including psychiatric and cancer drugs. Pricing was a flashpoint, with users accusing DRAP of serving pharmaceutical companies over citizens. Pharmacists raised concerns over alleged misconduct by provincial drug inspectors and called for standardized, transparent inspection systems.

The session also featured feedback from DRAP employees and job seekers, with questions on employment opportunities, contract renewals, and internal promotions. On a positive note, the initiative itself was praised by many as a much-needed step toward accountability and citizen engagement, with multiple users urging DRAP to hold such sessions regularly and improve online application tracking.

DRAP’s live forum offered a rare moment of real-time regulatory dialogue, but it also laid bare the pressure points in Pakistan’s healthcare ecosystem—skyrocketing prices, bureaucratic inertia, and a growing trust deficit. While the CEO promised reform and responsiveness, the true test will be in implementation and sustained public engagement.