Pakistan’s Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has denied reports of a nationwide flu vaccine shortage, saying several brands remain available. He said the current problem involves specific multinational brands awaiting government approval for their proposed prices. His remarks followed reports from Lahore medical stores of limited vaccine supplies. Store owners said the Chinese-manufactured vaccine was the only option available in small quantities.
Kamal told Geo News that the absence of certain brands, including Abbott, did not mean vaccines were unavailable across Pakistan. He said one manufacturer had sought a price increase after refusing to continue selling at the existing rate. Meanwhile, store owners reported that a vaccine previously priced at Rs1,200 was now selling for Rs1,640. The minister acknowledged that the company’s request for a higher price might be justified.
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Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan officials said the regulator had determined a proposed price in December last year. The health ministry then referred the matter to government committees, but the cabinet has yet to give final approval. Kamal said the relevant committee had completed its review and submitted its recommendations. He added that only the federal cabinet could approve the proposed prices.
The minister also defended the Chinese-manufactured vaccine, saying the product had received approval from the relevant authorities. He stressed that medicines could not be sold in Pakistan without DRAP approval. Kamal said neither the health minister nor DRAP could independently set drug prices under the law. He added that a cabinet subcommittee led by the finance minister had forwarded its recommendations through the prime minister.
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Medical experts advised elderly people and patients to receive flu vaccinations to strengthen their protection against infection. Separately, insulin supply problems came under discussion during a National Assembly session. Parliamentary Secretary Nelson Azeem said the shortage involved an imported German product and that supply difficulties were also affecting Europe. He said Pakistan’s supply had fallen from 3,500 insulin kits to 1,000, while an alternative product remained available.