A major multinational drug company has stopped making its popular paracetamol brand, Panadol, causing a shortage of drugs all over the country. The company has been asking for permission to raise the price of Panadol. They say that making the drug is no longer cost-effective.
Paracetamol, which is also called acetaminophen, is a pain reliever and fever reducer. The brand of paracetamol that is used by a lot of people is in high demand in places where flooding has caused a lot of people to get sick. In recent days, there have also been more dengue cases reported in cities, which has led to a rise in demand.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan sent a summary to the health ministry recommending an increase of Rs 1 per tablet, but the federal cabinet turned down the summary. The group says that the maker could sell the medicine for less than what it costs to make.
The drug company says that it used to make 450 million tablets every month, but that it has stopped all production. Some of the tablets you can buy at pharmacies are fake, and the DRAP has been told.
