Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar says the government is taking every possible step for the provision of medicines to common man at suitable price.

Chairing the Federal Cabinet meeting in Islamabad today, he said the government is devising such policies which would not only benefit the common man, but the pharmaceutical industry as well.

The Prime Minister directed to prepare recommendations to further improve the performance of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan.

He further directed to speed up the actions against hoarding and smuggling of drugs. For the deregulation of the drugs' prices, the Prime Minister said suggestions should be forwarded to prepare a draft summary for legislation by next elected parliament. 

On recommendation of the Ministry of National Health, the Federal Cabinet approved increase in the prices of 146 essential life-saving medicines, keeping in view the rising prices of raw material in global market.

The Ministry of National Health and Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan informed th meeting that through the online portal of DRAP, citizens can file complaints regarding non-availability of medicines in the market.

On the recommendation of Finance Ministry, the Federal Cabinet approved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Competition Commission of Pakistan and State Administration of Market Regulation China.

The forum gave permission to Pakistani psychologist Muhammad Salim Khan Tareen to receive the award of Member of the British Empire by the King of Great Britain, Charles III, for services in the field of psychology.

The Federal Cabinet also granted permission to Air Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu to receive the Gold Medal for Aeronautical Merit awarded by Italy.

The Government of Italy had conferred this honor in recognition of the services of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu for enhancing cooperation between the Italian and Pakistani Air Forces.