The revision in the maximum retail price by the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) is expected to provide a relief of up to Rs75,000 per month to the patients.
The revision in the maximum retail price by the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) is expected to provide a relief of up to Rs75,000 per month to the patients. The health ministry on Monday reduced the cost of 20 medicines, including those to treat cancer.
The medicines include those used to treat lung cancer, breast cancer, HIV, blood clotting, blood pressure, eye infections, bone diseases, infertility in women and fungal infections.
According to a document, the price of 30 tablets of 150mg Tarceva has been reduced by 30 per cent. Now, it can not be sold at over Rs214,710. The price of the 100mg variant of the medicine, used to treat non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer, has been capped at Rs172,320.
The price of 450 mg of Herceptin injection, which is used to treat breast, esophageal, and stomach cancers, has been reduced by 30% to Rs 199,741. Each patient will receive up to Rs. 75,000 in monthly relief as a result of the revision.
The maximum cost of 60 Valcyte tablets for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in people with AIDS is Rs 116,165.The maximum price for 28 tablets of Xarelto, an anticoagulant medication used to treat and prevent blood clots, will be Rs 4,810, according to the document.
Similarly, 20 Co-Renitec tablets cannot be sold for more than R s258. The medication lowers blood pressure by removing excess water and electrolytes from the body. Timoptol eye drops will be available for Rs 184, and that of Clomid, used to treat infertility in women, will be Rs 440.
Similarly, a 3 mg injection of Aclasta, which is used to treat several bone diseases, cannot be sold for more than Rs 27,514, while the price of five Zofran injections is limited to Rs 4,659. It is used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Taxotere, a chemotherapy medication used to treat various cancer types, is priced at Rs 11,429 for a 20-mg/1-ml injection. Lamisil Cream, which is used to treat fungal infections, will cost a maximum of Rs262.
The ministry’s spokeswoman, Sajid Shah, said that the health minister has been asking the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan to cut the cost of medicines.