Drugs’ prices to be brought down soon: Firdous Ashiq Awan

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The federal cabinet was informed on Tuesday that the prices of drugs would be brought down soon after consultation with all stakeholders. This was stated by Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan during a press conference after the federal cabinet meeting. The special assistant said that Special Assistant to PM on National Health Services Dr Zafarullah Mirza briefed the cabinet meeting on his findings regarding increase in prices of drugs. Firdous Ashiq Awan also said a meeting with pharma companies and other stakeholders will be held soon to bring down the prices of medicines, so that people can afford their treatment.

Extra profit of pharma companies to be recovered

She also mentioned that the additional amount charged by these companies will be recovered by the government and submitted in Pakistan Baitul Maal. “This amount will be used to provide free treatment to poor patients of various diseases,” she added.

Govt to keep eye on hoarders during Ramazan

The PM special assistant said the cabinet was briefed on inflation and rising prices of essential items and the cabinet decided to check on prices of essential items during the holy month of Ramazan and keep an eye on hoarders and cartels.

Inflation is less than previous two govts during last 8 months

Firdous Ashiq Awan said the inflation during the last eight months of this government is still less comparing with the same period of previous two governments.

PM directs all ministers to introduce policies in public interest

She said the prime minister directed all ministers to introduce policies in public interest and improve their performance in order to resolve the issues faced by public. She said the Prime Minister has already assigned targets to his economic team in order to create a people friendly budget.

Cabinet discusses LNG agreements

The special assistant said the cabinet also discussed the LNG agreements signed by previous government which were expensive and not in interest of Pakistan. She said the new LNG agreements will be transparent and based on competitive pricing.

PM’s vision of democracy is free from corruption

“The cabinet endorsed the policies of Prime Minister Imran Khan and his vision of democracy that is free from corruption and functions only to empower the common man and reduces their issues,” she explained. Referring to PM’s upcoming visit to China, the assistant said a better Free Trade Agreement will be signed with China in order to protect our local industry. She said the previous agreement signed did not cater to the interests of local industry. However, due to successful diplomacy of the Prime Minister, China has agreed to sign an FTA on the pattern of one that is with ASEAN countries and is on much better terms. Firdous Ashiq Awan said that Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood apprised the cabinet that 450 Pakistani businessmen will visit China to look for business opportunities that would translate into more production, job opportunities and poverty reduction in the country. The special assistant said the cabinet members congratulated the prime minister on his successful visit to Iran which was extremely important in present context. She said we have to increase our trade with immediate neighbors to reap the bilateral benefits. She said the visit also proved successful in removing the misunderstandings between the two brotherly countries.