Increase in prices of medicines: PML-N MPA submits motion in Punjab PA

LAHORE: A condemnation resolution in Punjab Assembly on the increase in the prices of medicine submitted by PML- N MPA Aneeza Fatima on Tuesday was rejected by the House.

In the resolution Aneeza Fatima demanded that government should immediately take back the increase in the prices of medicines. She said that government has increased the prices of medicines in order to give benefit to medicine companies. The government should immediately withdraw the increase in the prices of life saving drugs.

She alleged that government has given NRO to the people involved in drug scam. PML-N MPA Sami Ullah Khan said that since the PTI government came to power, the prices of medicines have gone up by 300 %. Prime Minister Imran Khan took notice of the increase in the prices of medicines and removed Amir Kyani from ministry and after wards he was made general secretary of the party. He also said that prices of medicines were increased by Dr Zafar Mirza and Dr Faisal.

While responding to the criticism of opposition members health minister Punjab Dr Yasmeen Rashid on the floor of the House said that prices of medicines were increased in the tenure of PML-N government. She said that government provided free of cost medicines to the heart patients throughout the province. She also said that PTI government had distributed health card to 52 lac people. She said that people were treated through health card as well as they were getting medicines. Yasmeen Rashid said that government had spent Rs 32 billion for the provision of medicines.

Earlier, the session started 1 hour 42 minutes late under the chair of Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari. Fateha was offered for the departed soul of religious scholar and head of Karachi's Jamia Farooqia seminary Maulana Dr Adil Khan, who was shot dead along with his driver in a suspected targeted attack. Due to the absence of most of the members and lack of interest by the members the deputy speaker shortened the question hour.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020