News published in this paper on July 22, 2014 regarding high prices of multinational pharmaceutical drugs was very wellreported.The reporter had done a comprehensive market research of prices but he seems to have missed out one critical factor that determines the price of different brands. Being a teacher of pharmacology, I consider price differential argumentsvery vague and baseless. It’s like comparing the expensive Sony LCD with a Chinese or local brand. The reporter seems utterly oblivious to the fact that the raw material, or active ingredients(APIs) used in drugs’ formulation are imported from China, where cheaper variants of the same raw materials are easily available at $50 to $500 per kg. Multinationals, due to their stringent protocols, cannot deviate from good manufacturing practices (GMP) and have to buy expensive raw materials with premium prices. Whereas, local companies usually buy cheaper materials to compete with MNCs on the pricing front. As raw material is directly proportional to the efficacy of the drug, patients in Pakistan are mostly prescribed branded medicines to ensure quality. Moreover, manufacturing facilities, research and development, employees’ welfare and security also adds to the cost of the price.
ANNY KHURSHID,
Karachi, July 23.