lifesaving drugs clear
| |

52 life-saving drugs clear major approval hurdle

ISLAMABAD: A federal cabinet subcommittee has approved the prices of 52 newly registered life-saving medicines, including treatments for cancer, diabetes, haemophilia and Parkinson’s disease, in a move aimed at improving access to essential medicines across Pakistan.

The meeting was chaired by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad. The committee reviewed pricing proposals for newly registered medicines and approved the prices for all 52 products.

Officials said the approved medicines include several advanced treatments for serious and chronic illnesses. Among them is Keytruda, a modern immunotherapy drug used globally to treat more than 20 types of cancer. Other approved medicines include Nivolumab, Dasatinib, Meropenem and insulin, which are widely used to treat cancer, severe infections and diabetes.

The pricing decision will now be sent to the federal cabinet for final approval. Once endorsed, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) will issue an official price notification, allowing the medicines to be legally marketed and sold in the country.

Health Ministry officials said early approval of medicine prices was necessary to address the difficulties faced by patients. Delays in pricing had prevented several newly registered medicines from entering the local market, forcing many patients to rely on unregistered, smuggled or costly imported alternatives.

Authorities believe the approval will improve the availability of high-quality medicines and reduce dependence on illegal supply channels. They said the move will also help ensure that patients have access to safe and regulated treatments through authorised healthcare providers.

During the meeting, the finance minister stressed the importance of transparency and protecting the public interest in decisions related to medicine pricing. He called for a fair pricing mechanism that balances patient affordability with the availability of essential medicines.

Similar Posts

  • | | |

    ECC approves Rs4.188bn PASSCO compensation package

    The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved a Rs4.188 billion compensation package for employees of the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO). The decision is part of the government’s plan to wind up PASSCO. The process is also linked to the disposal of the corporation’s wheat stocks. The government has set December 2026 as the deadline for completing the process. The ECC directed that the winding-up process must be independently reviewed. A third party will validate the process to ensure transparency and compliance with the approved plan. The committee also stressed the need to dispose of PASSCO’s wheat stocks as soon as possible. Officials said the early disposal of the stocks would help implement the employee compensation package on time. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research assured the ECC that the process would be completed by December. The government began work on the closure of PASSCO in 2025. The Prime Minister’s Office had directed the finance minister to oversee the process in consultation with the relevant ministry. A meeting chaired by the finance minister later decided that a severance package should be prepared for PASSCO employees. The package was designed along the lines of the voluntary separation scheme approved for employees of the Utility Stores Corporation. PASSCO’s Board of Directors subsequently approved the revised compensation package. The scheme covers regular employees as well as contractual and daily-wage workers. It includes severance compensation and several terminal benefits. These include leave encashment and a farewell grant. The package also provides maintenance support for widows and retired employees through PASSCO’s Benevolent Fund. The ECC had previously approved the winding up of PASSCO. It also approved the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle called the Wheat Stock Management Company (WSMC) Public Limited. The federal cabinet later ratified the decision. The total cost of the employee package is estimated at Rs4.188 billion. Around Rs3.967 billion has been allocated for severance compensation and terminal benefits for PASSCO employees. Another Rs221 million has been set aside for maintenance grants. The amount will benefit 38 widows and 236 retired employees.

  • Four Chinese Nationals Arrested In Thailand On Fraud Charges

    BANGKOK, Thailand — Four Chinese nationals accused of defrauding authorities in Wuhan of nearly 87 million baht in land expropriation compensation have been detained in separate operations in Chon Buri and Samut Prakan provinces, after investigators determined they had allegedly used Thai retirement visas to conceal their presence in the country. Chinese Man Faces Legal […]

  • |

    7 dead, 8 children missing in Muzaffargarh canal accident

    The death toll from the tragic Muzaffargarh Canal rickshaw accident has risen to seven after rescue teams recovered another body from the canal, while eight people remain missing. The incident occurred when a rickshaw carrying members of a wedding party fell into the canal in Muzaffargarh. A large number of people, including women and children, were travelling in the vehicle at the time of the accident. According to the updated list issued by rescue officials, the deceased have been identified as Dilawar, son of Abdul Rasheed, aged 14; Muneeb, son of Rashid, aged seven; Sakina Bibi, wife of Allah Ditta, aged 58; Sameera Bibi, daughter of Muhammad Shafiq, aged 15; Muhammad Saim, son of Muhammad Iqbal; Muhammad Sabtain, son of Musharraf, aged seven; and Raju, son of Muhammad Iqbal, aged nine. Rescue teams are continuing their search for eight people who are still unaccounted for following the accident. The missing persons have been identified as Muhammad Bilal, son of Muhammad Iqbal; Muhammad Yasir, son of Fida Hussain; Muhammad Ali, son of Muhammad Shafiq; Usman, son of Ghulam Fareed; Shakir, son of Ashiq Hussain; Hassnain, son of Musharraf Ali; Iqbal Bibi, daughter of Fida Hussain; Kaleem Ullah, son of Basheer Ahmad; and Zareef, son of Wazeer Ahmad. Rescue officials have intensified the search operation in the canal to locate the missing passengers. Divers and other rescue personnel are taking part in the operation, while efforts are also being made to determine whether any victims remain trapped in or around the submerged vehicle. Earlier, rescue teams managed to save 11 passengers from the accident. The injured and rescued individuals were shifted to medical facilities for necessary treatment.

  • | |

    Kim Kardashian shares loved-up beach moment with b…

    Kim Kardashian has given fans another glimpse into her romance with Lewis Hamilton, and this time, the couple’s tropical getaway has offered a particularly sweet look at their growing relationship. The reality star and SKIMS founder recently shared a collection of vacation photos on Instagram, capturing sunny beach moments, family time and intimate snapshots with the Formula 1 champion. Kardashian captioned the post, “Somewhere over the rainbow 🌈,” adding a dreamy touch to the holiday memories. (People.com⁠) Among the photos was a loved-up selfie featuring Kardashian and Hamilton together. The pair appeared comfortable and affectionate, giving followers a rare look at their private time away from their busy careers. The getaway was not simply a romantic escape. Kardashian was joined by members of her family, including her sister Khloé Kardashian and Khloé’s children. Kardashian’s own children also appeared in the vacation pictures, enjoying activities such as surfing and playing on the beach. (People.com⁠) Hamilton’s presence during a family holiday is particularly notable because Kardashian has generally been careful about keeping her personal relationships private. His involvement in family occasions has increasingly suggested that the Formula 1 star has become an important part of her life. The couple’s romance first attracted widespread attention earlier in 2026. Kardashian and Hamilton had known each other for years, but dating rumors began gaining momentum after they were reportedly seen together during a romantic trip to Paris in February. (ELLE⁠) Their relationship later became more public. The pair made their romance Instagram official in April, when Hamilton shared a video featuring Kardashian during a high-speed Ferrari drive in Japan. They were also photographed enjoying a PDA-filled beach outing in Malibu, where they hugged and spent time together in the water. (People.com⁠) Since then, Kardashian and Hamilton have continued to share occasional glimpses of their time together. They have also been spotted supporting each other at professional and personal events, while managing demanding schedules on opposite sides of the Atlantic. For Kardashian, the latest beach photos appear to show a more relaxed side of her relationship. Rather than a glamorous red-carpet appearance, the pictures capture simple moments of travel, family and affection. Fans have naturally been paying close attention to the couple’s latest update, with many celebrating how comfortable they appear together. Although Kardashian has not publicly shared every detail of their relationship, her latest vacation post speaks volumes. The combination of romance and family time suggests that Hamilton is becoming increasingly woven into her everyday world. For now, the couple seems content enjoying their time together away from the spotlight. And with Kardashian offering another rare glimpse into their romance, fans are clearly eager to see what comes next.

  • | |

    Four bodies recovered after Broad Peak avalanche

    The bodies of four climbers have been recovered after a deadly avalanche struck Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain, located in Pakistan. Rescue teams are continuing an extensive search for the remaining missing climbers in difficult weather and terrain. The avalanche hit the mountain during the climbing season, leaving around 10 mountaineers missing. The victims include climbers from Nepal, Pakistan, China and the United States, highlighting the international nature of the expedition. Search and rescue teams remain on the mountain despite harsh conditions. The operation is being carried out in a challenging high-altitude environment, where steep slopes, freezing temperatures and unstable snow have made rescue efforts extremely difficult. Tourism Minister Nikk Nam Karim said every possible effort is being made to locate the missing climbers. He said rescue teams are working continuously to search the affected area and provide assistance to those involved in the incident. The minister added that the Tourism Department is supporting the rescue mission by providing logistical assistance. Authorities are coordinating with rescue teams and other relevant agencies to ensure the search operation continues without interruption. Broad Peak, which rises to more than 8,000 metres in the Karakoram mountain range, is one of Pakistan’s most challenging peaks and attracts climbers from around the world every year. However, the mountain is also known for its unpredictable weather and avalanche risks, particularly during the peak climbing season. Officials have not yet released the identities of the recovered climbers.

  • | |

    Aqib Javed’s daughter Aqaba gets married in UK c…

    Former Pakistan cricketer and national team head coach Aqib Javed’s daughter, Aqaba Aqib, has tied the knot in a wedding ceremony held in the United Kingdom. Aqaba’s mother, renowned poet and writer Farzana Aqib, shared photographs from the wedding on social media, revealing that the ceremony took place in the UK on August 9. She extended prayers and best wishes to the newlyweds and both families. The wedding photographs showed Aqaba dressed in an elegant white bridal gown, while the groom appeared in a formal suit. Aqaba has also established an impressive academic background. Around three to four years ago, she completed a degree in Media and International Journalism from the University of Sussex. The wedding has attracted attention because of the family’s prominent association with Pakistani cricket and literature. Aqib Javed has made significant contributions to Pakistani cricket, while Farzana Aqib is known for her work in English literature and poetry. Farzana Aqib has a substantial following on social media and has reportedly authored around 70 books of English poetry. She has also received several international literary awards and has written works exploring Islamic history through English poetry.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *