Shortages of some drugs in Pakistan are mounting as the government continues to dither over whether to keep price controls on a host of drugs.Both domestic and Western drug manufacturers have urged the government to act, saying shortages could become extensive and some foreign companies may just decide it is not worth doing business there, reports The Express Tribune. Citing sources, it says there has not been a formal price increase since 2001.There already have been shortages of some drugs, The Express Tribune reports, because margins got so thin that domestic drugmakers quit producing them. Last month, the American Business Council, which represents 65 American drug manufacturers in Pakistan, warned authorities that if matters are not sorted out soon, Pakistan could face shortages of more than 800 drugs. The ABC said its three largest clients--Pfizer Pakistan ($PFE), Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) and Abbott Laboratories ($ABT)--are already being affected by the supply chain disruptions. The organization played the economic development trump card, saying Western companies might reconsider their commitment to Pakistan if problems persist.Meanwhile, analysts are warning the government that a price control policy will not be healthy for the industry in the long run, reports The Economic Times. Analysts say experience elsewhere shows price controls will not improve health access but will limit drug innovation in the country at a time when rising life expectancy calls for new varieties of pharmaceuticals.David Taylor, a professor at the University of London, points to his experience in India, which is currently debating the expansion of price controls on drugs. "Price caps have the opposite effect, though, by disincentivising the sale of innovative drugs or drug research in India. Patients with incurable endemic diseases will continue to suffer in silence since cures for such diseases may no longer be actively researched," he said.- read The Economic Times story
- more from The Express TribuneRelated Articles:
Pfizer, J&J, Abbott facing shortages of crucial ingredients in Pakistan
Even some domestic firms rail at India's price control plan read more..
Saturday, 9 June 2012
Price Controls-Drug Shortages-The Government-Formal Price
Friday, 16 March 2012
Food And Drug Administration-Drug Shortages-Crisis-Usa
Sharmila Devi Recent shortages of critical drugs in the USA have hampered patient care and attracted much media attention. Sharmila Devi examines the problems with America's drug supply.Severe shortages of drugs such as sterile injectables that have forced physicians in the USA to practise medicine from crisis to crisis are likely to continue for several more years, say regulators and health-care providers.Around 280 drugs, almost all manufactured in the USA, remain in short supply because of factors including a dwindling number of makers of some drugs, deteriorating conditions in factories, and low prices for generics leading to a lack of investment to upgrade plants.The shortages have led to delays in surgery and cancer treatments, left patients in pain, and forced hospitals to prescribe less effective treatment, said a review by the Associated Press late last year. At least 15 deaths in 15 months were blamed on the shortages, according to data compiled by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, a patient safety group, and the true number might be higher because many deaths and injuries caused by shortages go unreported.“We don't have any expectation the issue will be resolved soon”, Sandra Kweder, deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration's Office of New Drugs, told The Lancet. “It will be several years before companies building new plants get them up and running.” via thelancet.com Posted via email from Jack's posterous read more..
Monday, 12 March 2012
Drug Enforcement Administration-Temporary Restraining Order-Prescription Drugs-Cardinal Health
Does the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) understand the distribution system for legitimate, prescription drugs? It sure doesn't look that way. The DEA once again went after Cardinal Health (NYSE:CAH) by suspending the company’s controlled substances license at its Lakeland, FL, facility. Late Friday, Cardinal successfully won a temporary restraining order against the DEA. See Cardinal Health’s statement. Kudos to Cardinal Health CEO George Barrett for standing up to an overzealous DEA. When this happened in 2007, Cardinal’s tentative and indecisive response led to major business losses, from which the company has never fully recovered. I'm curious to see how CVS Caremark (NYSE:CVS) reacts to last Friday's raid at 2 of its Florida stores.As I explain below, the DEA started targeting wholesalers and manufacturers because they can't stop the real criminals—the patients abusing prescription drugs, the physicians running “pill mills,” and the pharmacies dealing these drugs. And don’t even get me started on how the DEA has created a shortage of ADHD meds by putting manufacturers under their thumb…Read more »Copyright © 2006-2012 Pembroke Consulting, Inc. and Copyright © 2006-2012 Drug Channels. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. read more..