APART from skyrocketing prices of medicines, one faces severe shortages of drugs that are vital in terms of saving lives.

In this regard, I sent two letters to the head of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) via email on Aug 28 and Sept 2, seeking his attention towards the ongoing acute shortage of essential medicines that are prescribed to epilepsy, cardiac, neuro and asthma patients.

However, there is no headway in sight in this crucial matter which directly relates to the survival of such patients. In this connection, the attention of district health officer of Karachi Central was also sought through a letter dated Aug 29. In response, the said office forwarded my letter and emails to the chief drug inspector of the Sindh government. That was the end of that episode, for nothing happened thereafter.

In view of the sensitivity of the matter, the relevant provincial minister should look into the issue and ensure the availability of all life-saving drugs in the market without any further delay at all.

Not doing so would be akin to endan- gering the lives of thousands of patients.

Hasan Afzaal
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2023