Punjab and Sindh Likely to Face Shortage of Essential Medicines

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has raised serious concerns over a critical shortage of essential medicines for treating cardiac diseases and hepatitis, labeling the situation a “humanitarian crisis,” as reported by Express-News on Sunday.The PMA highlighted that the shortage, particularly in Sindh and Punjab, endangers patients’ lives, with complaints from healthcare providers and affected individuals nationwide.

Reports indicate that the lack of life-saving drugs has delayed treatments, increasing the risk of complications and fatalities. The crisis has disproportionately affected underprivileged patients, exposing significant disparities in access to healthcare.The association condemned the government’s inaction, urging swift intervention to address the issue. It called for an investigation into the root causes of the shortages and demanded reforms to strengthen drug regulation and ensure future supply stability.The PMA also stressed the importance of transparent procurement and equitable distribution of medicines to alleviate the crisis. “This negligence is intolerable. The government must act immediately to resolve the issue,” the association stated.