LAHORE / KARACHI / PESHAWAR: Rising medicine prices across major cities in Pakistan are pushing patients into a deepening healthcare crisis, as weak price controls, global supply disruptions, and policy gaps continue to make essential treatments increasingly unaffordable.

The situation has worsened due to ongoing global supply chain disruptions, rising shipping costs, and increased prices of imported raw materials used in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector.

Since 2023, medicine prices have surged significantly, with increases of around 50% in 2024 and a further 30–40% in 2025. The addition of an 18% general sales tax has further increased the financial burden on patients.

In Lahore, patients report that even basic treatments have become unaffordable. A diabetes patient said his monthly medication cost has doubled from Rs5,000 to nearly Rs10,000, making continued treatment difficult.

Experts say deregulation of drug pricing has weakened government oversight, allowing pharmaceutical companies to set prices with minimal control, resulting in frequent increases.

In Karachi, wholesalers report medicine price revisions every 15 to 20 days, with some medicines experiencing multiple increases within a single month. Patients with chronic illnesses are particularly affected.

In Peshawar, shortages of essential medicines such as insulin, antibiotics, and pregnancy-related drugs are also being reported, alongside rising costs and weak regulatory enforcement.

Healthcare professionals warn that irrational prescribing and self-medication are worsening the situation, reducing long-term treatment effectiveness and increasing financial pressure on families.

Industry experts cite multiple causes including currency depreciation, high import costs, and reliance on foreign raw materials, particularly from China and India, which supply most pharmaceutical inputs.

Public hospitals are also facing shortages, forcing patients to purchase medicines from private pharmacies at significantly higher prices.

Experts emphasize the need for stronger regulation, improved supply chain management, and greater awareness of generic medicines, which are significantly cheaper but equally effective.