How DRAP sets medicine prices in Pakistan
Last reviewed 12 October 2026
Short answer: In Pakistan, the price of many medicines is controlled through a maximum retail price (MRP). The federal government, working through the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), fixes it and publishes it in official notifications called S.R.O.s. A shop may sell below the MRP but should not sell above it.
What is a maximum retail price?
The MRP is the highest price a medicine can be sold for to the public. It is printed on the pack, and it already includes the shop's margin. If a pack shows an MRP of Rs 100, a pharmacy can charge Rs 100 or less, but not Rs 110.
Pakistan's drug rules require manufacturers and importers to print the retail price on the label. This is why the price printed on the pack is the first thing to check.
Who fixes the price?
The power to fix maximum retail prices comes from the Drugs Act, 1976. Older notifications were issued by the Ministry of Health, and today DRAP issues them on behalf of the federal government. Each notification lists the drugs, strengths and pack sizes it covers, together with the price for each.
Examples include S.R.O. 207(I)/2023, which fixed the price of paracetamol products. You can read how it applies in our Paracetamol price guide.
Why do medicine prices change?
Prices do not stay fixed forever. They change for a few main reasons:
- Manufacturer requests. Companies can apply for an increase when their production costs rise, for example because of the exchange rate or the cost of raw materials.
- Inflation-linked adjustments. DRAP has also issued notifications that adjust drug prices in line with inflation, such as S.R.O. 595(I)/2023 dated 19 May 2023.
- Reductions. Prices can go down too. S.R.O. 24(I)/2023, for example, reduced the maximum prices of twenty drugs in January 2023.
- Court cases. Some price notifications have been challenged in court, and courts have paused parts of them. So the price that applies to a product can change for legal reasons as well.
Because of all this, any price you read in an old article, including ours, may be out of date. Always look at the date.
Not every medicine has a fixed price
An MRP notification only covers the products named in it. Other medicines are registered with a price that the manufacturer reports, and that price is changed under DRAP's rules. This is why the same medicine from different brands can have different prices, and why you should compare the exact strength and pack size. Our guide to pack sizes explains how to compare them per tablet.
How to check a medicine price
- Read the retail price printed on the pack. Make sure it is clear and has not been covered, scratched or stuck over.
- Check the product on the DRAP PharmaPrice Index, which lists the registration number, manufacturer, pack size, price and the date the price took effect.
- Divide the price by the number of tablets or the volume to compare brands fairly.
- If the shop asks for more than the price on the pack, ask for the reason, and take another look at the pack to check that you have the right product.
What if you are charged more than the MRP?
Selling above the printed or notified maximum price is not allowed. You can politely point out the printed price to the seller. If that does not help, you can report it to the provincial health department or drug control authority in your area, or contact DRAP through its website at dra.gov.pk.
Frequently asked questions
Is the price on the pack the final price?
It is the maximum price. You may pay less if a shop offers a discount, but you should not pay more.
Why is the same medicine cheaper under another brand?
Different manufacturers register different prices, and some medicines do not have a fixed MRP. A cheaper brand with the same ingredient, strength and form is often a legitimate alternative, but ask your pharmacist before switching.
Where can I find official price notifications?
DRAP publishes them on its website, in the Legislation section under S.R.O.s, and lists product prices on the PharmaPrice Index.
Sources
- DRAP, S.R.O. 207(I)/2023, Fixation of Maximum Retail Price of Paracetamol Products.
- DRAP, S.R.O. 24(I)/2023, Maximum Retail Price Fixation of Twenty Drugs.
- DRAP, S.R.O. 595(I)/2023, Maximum Retail Price of Drugs and Biologicals under CPI.
- Ministry of Health, S.R.O. 100(I)/2002, maximum retail prices of drugs.
- DRAP, PharmaPrice Index.