Senate Panel Forms Subcommittee to Review PMDC and Medicine Pricing

Senate Committee Pushes for Healthcare Reforms

The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services has taken a significant step toward improving healthcare governance by forming a subcommittee to review PMDC matters. The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, with Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and senior officials from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), National Institute of Health (NIH), and PMDC in attendance.

The newly formed subcommittee will be led by Senator Anusha Rahman, with Senators Agha Shahzaib Durrani, Rahat Jamali, and Sarmad Ali as members. Senator Chishti emphasized the importance of avoiding conflicts of interest in the review process.

One of the key issues discussed was the MDCAT schedule. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal confirmed that the test would be held on August 16, following the completion of FSc examinations on July 20. He stressed the government’s commitment to eliminating the so-called “MDCAT preparation mafia” and ensuring a transparent examination system.

The committee also raised serious concerns about the sharp rise in medicine prices across Pakistan. Officials revealed that prices had surged by up to 100 percent in the past two years, largely due to deregulation during the caretaker government in 2024. Currently, DRAP can only regulate prices of essential life-saving medicines, leaving other drugs subject to market forces.

Members criticized the pharmaceutical sector for excessive profits and insisted that leaving pricing entirely to companies was unacceptable. The committee directed DRAP to develop a clear pricing mechanism and decided to involve the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics in future discussions to ensure accurate data on medicine costs.

DRAP chief Dr. Obaidullah Malik briefed the committee that 659 pharmaceutical companies are operating in Pakistan, with 394 institutions importing medicines and vaccines. This underscores the scale of the industry and the urgent need for stronger oversight.

The Senate panel’s actions reflect growing public concern over healthcare affordability and transparency. By addressing PMDC governance, MDCAT scheduling, and medicine pricing, lawmakers aim to strengthen Pakistan’s healthcare system and restore public trust in medical institutions.