The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA) has declared that the shortage of non-essential medicines in Pakistan has ended following the government’s strategic move to deregulate medicine prices. This policy shift has revived the local pharmaceutical industry by making it viable to resume the production of previously unprofitable medicines.

Due to rigid and outdated price controls, many low-cost medicines had disappeared from pharmacies as their manufacturing costs far exceeded the allowed market prices. Essential over-the-counter products, psychiatric drugs, and various chronic disease treatments had become scarce. With deregulation, these products are now returning to shelves, and patients once again have access to affordable treatment options.

According to PPMA, the deregulation of non-essential medicine prices has not only revived supply but also restored confidence among pharmaceutical companies. Manufacturers now have the flexibility to cover production costs and reinvest in the supply chain. This has reduced the risk of black marketing, counterfeit drugs, and parallel imports, thereby improving the overall healthcare ecosystem in the country.

Essential medicines, over 460 life-saving drugs, remain under strict price control, ensuring critical treatments stay affordable for the public. Meanwhile, deregulation in the non-essential category offers manufacturers the freedom to price medications reasonably while maintaining compliance with quality standards.

The policy has also encouraged foreign pharmaceutical companies to continue their operations in Pakistan. Many had considered leaving the market due to unsustainable pricing. With improved pricing dynamics and regulatory clarity, both local and multinational players are ramping up production.

PPMA confirmed that the deregulation policy has led to greater drug availability, reduced delays in price adjustment cases, and improved investor confidence in the healthcare manufacturing sector. The industry sees this as a vital step toward a more efficient, responsive, and self-reliant pharmaceutical landscape.