[e-drug] Essential drugs missing from market (cont)

[Azhar Hussain <azhar@thenetwork.org.pk>]

E-drug: Essential drugs missing from market (cont)
---------------------------------------------

Dear Eurek Ranjjt,

Yes the situation is quite disturbing regarding the non-availability of
essential drugs (ED) in Pakistan. But at the same time it is also improving.
This list of missing ED was round 100 in 1996 when we first started this
campaign it was 47 in last December and now it's 25. We monitor
non-availability of ED bimonthly through our key contacts around the country
and report it in media, MoH and in our Drug Bulletin.

It is very important to look in to the reasons for these shortages which
include:

1. MoH not playing it's statutary role.
2. Essential drugs by definition are low price drugs thus affordable by most
of the Population but having low profits to the manufacturers and 
traders. Pharmaceutical companies don't find them attractive to 
manufacture them.
3. Short term and artificial shortages are created by the pharmaceutical
companies in order to pressurize the government to get their demands 
regarding price increase.
4. About 19 mergers of multinational pharmaceutical companies have taken place
recently globally.These mergers have also lead in the change of 
management of the companies and new marketing strategies in place 
which are not inclined towards the sale of these drugs.

I am attaching a report on missing ED and i hope will answer your queries in
detail.*

Azhar Hussain

Project Coordinator Pharmaceuticals
TheNetwork for Consumer Protection
40-A, Ramzan Plaza, G-9 Markaz
Islamabad, Pakistan.
Tel: 00-92-51-2261085
Fax:00-92-51-2262495
Azhar Hussain <azhar@thenetwork.org.pk>
[* Azhar Hussain referred to an attached report on missing EDs. 
Attachments can't transmit on e-drug so if you are interested, please 
contact him directly.  BS]
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