(January 07-2023) Former President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Dr. Shahid Rasheed Butt on Saturday said there is a shortage of raw materials and medical equipment used in the manufacture of medicine in the country which is resulting in a major health crisis.
There is also a shortage of items used in laboratory tests, surgical instruments and other items resulting in problems, he said.
Shahid Rasheed Butt said that there has been a shortage of all kinds of medical equipment including life-saving drugs in the country, but the authorities are not ready to do anything in this regard.
He said that the government has announced the opening of letters of credit but according to the importers of the medical equipment, their LCs are not being opened resulting in a countrywide shortage.
The shortage of medicines in the local market has been going on for several months but now the situation is becoming alarming and no practical steps have been taken, he added.
The business leader said that another reason for the shortage of medicines is the poor system of regulating their prices which has remained a highly controversial issue.
Mr. Butt said that the last date for registration of medicines was December 31, 2022, in which an extension of at least three months is necessary so that precious lives are not lost due to a shortage of imported drugs and equipment.
The government should immediately end the delay in the issuance of LCs for the import of medical raw materials, chemicals and instruments to save the country from another serious crisis, he demanded.
