E-drug: E-DRUG: Drug Prices in Pakistan (cont)
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Hi there,
Well, I do admire the courage of Keith Watson to enter the discussion on
drug pricing. His presentation sounds quite reasonable, certainly on the
local scale, but I miss a couple of essential figures and data.
I think that one cannot simply transpose economic mechanisms from
developped countries into poorer countries, without some form of
justification.
Basically I think that in poorer countries a different approach would be
ethically justified and my questions rather go in that direction, as in the
direction of the current and recent price development.
To be able to judge whether price-raises are justified, much more basic
data are needed, e.g.
1. What is the gross profit margin of the pharmaceutical industry in the
field of so-called quality (or innovative?) drugs. How much money is spent
by the industry in Pakistan on the promotion of drugs and how much tax is
being paid locally on what profit margin?
2. What proportion of the so called quality drugs is produced in Pakistan
or what proportion is being imported from richer countries. What are the
pricing mechanisms involved in the import channel?
3. What is the current net profit of the pharmaceutical industry in
Pakistan. And does this profit go to the international shareholders, or
does it remain (partially) in the Pakistan economy. If the latter is the
case, how much remains in Pakistan.
Foppe van Mil, pharmacist
Snailmail: Margrietlaan 1, NL9471 CT Zuidlaren, Netherlands
Email: jwfvmil@wxs.nl
[please add affiliation, tel/fax and email to the signature - thx WB]
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