The most alarming rise involves insulin, a critical drug used in the management of diabetes. The price of an insulin injection device has more than doubled, jumping from Rs2,200 to Rs4,720. This sharp increase is expected to severely impact thousands of diabetic patients who rely on regular insulin doses to control their blood sugar levels and prevent life-threatening complications.
Other commonly used medicines have also become costlier. The price of a pack of medicine for indigestion and acidity has risen from Rs530 to Rs620. A pack of vitamins and nutritional supplements, often prescribed to patients recovering from illness or suffering from nutritional deficiencies, now costs Rs510 instead of the previous Rs480.
The cost of medicine used to treat Vitamin B deficiency has increased from Rs500 to Rs600. Patients suffering from thyroid disorders will now have to pay Rs290 for a drug that previously cost Rs85, a staggering rise of over 240 per cent. Similarly, the price of medicine used for typhoid treatment has gone up from Rs805 to Rs930.
According to sources, the price revisions were approved by the relevant regulatory authorities and have already been implemented in local pharmacies across Peshawar. Several other life-saving drugs have also witnessed upward adjustments, though specific details of those increases were not immediately available.
Patients and pharmacists in Peshawar expressed deep concern over the latest hike. “Many diabetic patients, especially the elderly and low-income families, are already struggling to afford insulin,” said a local pharmacist on condition of anonymity. “This doubling of price will force many to either skip doses or look for cheaper, sometimes substandard alternatives, which can be extremely dangerous.”
Doctors warned that such frequent and steep increases in medicine prices could lead to reduced compliance with treatment, resulting in higher rates of complications and hospitalizations.
The surge in drug prices comes at a time when the cost of living is already high due to inflation and economic challenges. Families with chronic patients are particularly vulnerable, as monthly medicine bills can now consume a significant portion of their income.
Health experts have urged the government to review the recent price approvals and consider providing subsidies or relief to patients dependent on these essential drugs. They also called for stricter monitoring of medicine quality to ensure that no substandard products enter the market amid rising demand for cheaper options.