Rising medicine prices deepen healthcare crisis in Pakistan

Sharp increases in medicine prices across Pakistan’s major cities are pushing thousands of patients into financial distress, as weak regulation, supply chain disruptions and rising import costs continue to make treatment increasingly unaffordable.

Patients in Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar have reported repeated price hikes on essential medicines, with many struggling to afford treatment for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. Industry estimates suggest medicine prices rose by nearly 50 percent in 2024, followed by an additional 30 to 40 percent increase in 2025. The imposition of 18 percent general sales tax has further increased costs for consumers.

The crisis has intensified amid regional tensions linked to the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has disrupted global supply chains, increased shipping costs and raised prices of imported pharmaceutical raw materials. Pakistan’s heavy dependence on imports from India and China for active pharmaceutical ingredients has made the sector particularly vulnerable to global shocks.

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Patients say even discounted pharmacy prices are no longer enough to ease the burden. A diabetes patient in Lahore reported his monthly medicine expenses had nearly doubled over the past two years, while patients in Karachi said prices of blood pressure, cholesterol and insulin medicines now consume a growing share of household income.

Industry experts argue that medicine price deregulation has weakened oversight, allowing pharmaceutical companies greater control over pricing decisions. Wholesalers in Karachi reported price revisions every few weeks, with some medicines becoming more expensive multiple times within a month.

Shortages of key medicines, including insulin, antibiotics and pregnancy-related drugs, have also been reported in public hospitals and private pharmacies, forcing patients to buy medicines at higher rates from the private market.

Healthcare experts are urging the government to introduce stricter price controls, improve supply chain monitoring and promote the use of lower-cost generic medicines, warning that without urgent intervention, Pakistan’s medicine affordability crisis could worsen significantly in the coming months.