Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare, Khawaja Imran Nazir, announced a swift crackdown on those responsible for the shortage of essential medicines, including insulin, as well as the recent surge in drug prices. This announcement followed an emergency meeting held on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, in response to alarming reports of insulin shortages and price hikes.
Chairing the meeting on Thursday, the minister warned that strict action would be taken if the shortage of insulin and other critical medicines was not resolved within the next 24 hours. He emphasized that individuals attempting to exploit the situation by overcharging for medicines would face severe consequences.
Khawaja Imran Nazir also reminded stakeholders that hoarding medicines or inflating prices is a clear violation of the Drug Pricing Policy 2018, and such practices would be addressed immediately. He reassured the public that government hospitals have adequate stocks of insulin and dismissed claims of widespread shortages in the market.
