The Ministry of Health has decided to implement drug pricing control policy for all medicines available in the private market with effect from 1.1.2002. This government move will substantially reduce the prices of all existing medicines and will bring uniformity in the prices of products. The government decision will not only benefit the local citizens but also the expatriate community who are dependent on the private sector for their requirement of medicines.

In line with the MOH decision, the Directorate General of Pharmaceutical Affairs & Drug Control (DGPA&DC) has already issued price lists to all private pharmacies and drug stores. DGPA&DC will be sending Inspectors to ensure and monitor price control.

As per the instructions issued by DGPA&DC, the following points should be taken into consideration by the two parties i.e. pharmacy as well as patient.

1. The price tag will be affixed by the local agent (wholesaler) on each pack. It will contain the retail price, name and logo of the agent.

2. The affixing of price tags on big packs will be done by the local agents on the outer pack as well as the individual strips (i.e. dividing the retail price of the pack by number of strips).

3. The price will be available on each individual pack as well as strips.

4. Strip of 10 is considered to be the minimum acceptable pack unit to be sold to the patient.

5. The medicine sold by the wholesaler to retailer including private hospitals, clinics, supermarkets etc. will contain the price as specified in the price list.

6. It is neither allowed to reduce nor increase the price by any party for any reason.

7. The medicines that are available in supermarkets will have the same prices that are approved by MOH.

8. Each and every pharmacy has a copy of the price list, which should be shown upon request of the patients.

All are requested to extend full support to this important issue. If any kind of deviation is found, please report the same to this directorate by contacting phone numbers 694744 or 602177 Ext. 755/474.