RAWALPINDI:
Prices of a wide range of medicines have risen sharply in the open market and at Rawalpindi’s Bohar Bazaar pharmaceutical wholesale hub, with increases ranging from 50% to 500%.
Prices of essential medicines, including those for diabetes and hypertension, antibiotics, gastrointestinal conditions and cough remedies, have seen significant increases.
In the open market, the price of an insulin injection device has increased from Rs 2,200 to Rs 4,720, an increase of more than Rs 2,500.
The cost of vitamin B supplements has also increased, increasing by Rs 100, from Rs 500 to Rs 600. Similarly, a packet of medicines for indigestion and heartburn has risen from Rs 530 to Rs 620 after a hike of Rs 90. Nutritional supplements and vitamin tablets have increased from Rs 480 to Rs 510 per pack.
There has been a particularly sharp increase in thyroid medicines, which have risen from Rs 85 to Rs 290. Meanwhile, a commonly used typhoid fever treatment has increased from Rs 805 to Rs 930 after an increase of Rs 125. Prices of several other life-saving medications have also increased.
Critics have described the increase as “unbearable”, pointing out that insulin devices costing between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000 effectively deprive low-income patients of access to essential treatment, and have called for immediate government intervention.
Arif Ali, secretary of the Medical Stores Retailers Association, along with Dr Zeeshan, say pharmaceutical companies have implemented “staggering” increases on multiple products.
They added that the price of insulin, vital for controlling diabetes, has more than doubled.
BOX
Pindi hospitals will have specialized filter clinics
our correspondent
RAWALPINDI. The authorities concerned have submitted PC-1 proposals for establishment of state-of-the-art filter clinics in three government hospitals in the city to the Punjab government through the provincial Department of Medical Education and Specialized Healthcare.
The introduction of these filter clinics is expected to bring about a significant improvement in the healthcare system within these hospitals.
Recognizing the long-standing need for such facilities, a decision has been taken to establish filtration clinics in three major public hospitals in the city. The aim is not only to ensure accurate assessment of patients’ conditions prior to their admission indoors, but also to provide necessary treatment where appropriate and discharge patients directly from filter clinics, thereby reducing unnecessary hospital admissions. This will help ensure timely diagnosis and treatment while easing the burden on interior departments.
Each screening clinic will have a dedicated building, a separate waiting area, all essential medicines, electro-medical equipment, as well as qualified doctors and support staff.
A PC-1 worth Rs 88 million has been prepared for the filtration clinic of Holy Family Hospital (HFH), Rs 41.8 million for Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital (RTH) and Rs 51.5 million for Benazir Bhutto General Hospital (BBGH), all of which have been submitted for approval.
The PC-1 proposals for the three hospitals will be submitted to the Punjab Planning and Development Wing, where, once approved, funds will be allocated and work on the projects will begin.
It is pertinent to note that the emergency departments, outpatient departments (OPDs) and indoor admission wards of the three hospitals are currently facing severe overcrowding due to exceptionally high influx of patients.
As a result, the healthcare system is under considerable pressure, often preventing patients from receiving timely, quality treatment commensurate with the nature of their illness.
