Insulin and other essential medicine prices rise sharply in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: Prices of seven essential medicines, including insulin, have been raised significantly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, prompting concern among patients and healthcare providers in Peshawar.

The steepest increase has been recorded in insulin, a key medicine used by people with diabetes. The price of an insulin injection device has climbed from Rs2,200 to Rs4,720, more than doubling in cost. The increase is expected to affect a large number of diabetic patients who depend on regular insulin use to manage blood sugar levels and avoid serious complications.

Several other commonly used medicines have also become more expensive. A pack of medicine used for indigestion and acidity now costs Rs620, up from Rs530. A pack of vitamins and nutritional supplements, often prescribed to patients recovering from illness or dealing with nutritional deficiencies, has increased from Rs480 to Rs510.

The price of medicine used to treat Vitamin B deficiency has gone up from Rs500 to Rs600. A drug used by patients with thyroid disorders now costs Rs290, compared to its earlier price of Rs85, marking an increase of more than 240 per cent. Medicine used for typhoid treatment has also risen in price, from Rs805 to Rs930.

The revised prices were approved by the relevant regulatory authorities and have already taken effect at pharmacies in Peshawar. Several other life-saving medicines have seen price increases, although exact details of those changes were not immediately available.

Patients and pharmacists in the city voiced concern over the latest increases. A local pharmacist, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, Many diabetic patients, especially the elderly and low-income families, are already struggling to afford insulin. 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 repeated and sharp increases in medicine prices could reduce adherence to treatment, leading to more complications and hospital admissions. The rise in medicine costs has come at a time when households are already facing pressure from inflation and broader economic difficulties.

Families with members suffering from chronic illnesses are seen as particularly exposed, as monthly spending on medicines now takes up a larger share of household income. Health experts urged the government to revisit the recent price approvals and consider subsidies or relief for patients who rely on these essential medicines. They also called for tighter oversight of medicine quality to prevent substandard products from entering the market as demand grows for lower-cost alternatives.

The latest increase has added to worries about access to treatment for patients who require long-term medication. Healthcare providers have cautioned that if patients are unable to continue prescribed treatment because of rising costs, the burden on hospitals may also increase.

Many diabetic patients, especially the elderly and low-income families, are already struggling to afford insulin. This doubling of price will force many to either skip doses or look for cheaper, sometimes substandard alternatives, which can be extremely dangerous.