In a significant step towards improving healthcare access, the federal government of Pakistan is preparing to introduce 35 new life-saving and modern medicines aimed at treating a range of critical conditions including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney ailments, and prostate disorders.

These drugs, developed using cutting-edge international pharmaceutical formulas, also include advanced vaccines designed to combat infectious diseases—marking a major stride in the country’s fight against both chronic and contagious illnesses.

Cabinet Approval Expected This Week

According to official sources, the pricing of these new medications has been added to the agenda of the upcoming federal cabinet meeting scheduled for Wednesday. High-level health officials expect formal approval to be granted during the session.

“The introduction of these medicines was long overdue,” said a senior health ministry representative. “Pricing and registration processes were stalled for almost two years due to regulatory complexities and bureaucratic delays.”

Making Essential Treatment Affordable

The government plans to place all 35 drugs under the mandatory price control regime, meaning their retail cost will be regulated to ensure affordability for patients. This move is expected to make treatments more accessible to thousands of Pakistanis suffering from chronic and life-threatening diseases.

The decision is also expected to facilitate the legal import or local manufacturing of these medicines, which have until now been largely unavailable or unaffordable in the country.

Bridging a Critical Healthcare Gap

Health experts have long emphasized the urgent need to update Pakistan’s pharmaceutical offerings with globally approved, next-generation treatments. Many of these drugs are already standard in developed countries but were previously out of reach for the majority of Pakistani patients due to pricing and regulatory delays.

If approved, the move will represent a milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to modernize its healthcare infrastructure and ensure equitable access to essential therapies.

Public health advocates are hopeful that this development signals a broader commitment to healthcare reform and the timely introduction of high-quality medical treatments in the future.