Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Public health concerns mount as essential drug prices increase

    Public health concerns mount as essential drug prices increase

    The interim government announced on Wednesday a price adjustment affecting 146 essential drugs, aligning with the decision made by the federal cabinet on February 1, 2024.

    The Ministry of National Health Services and Regulations issued a notification invoking its authority under Section 36 of the Drug Act 1976, stating that all drugs and biological substances not included in the National Essential Medicines List are exempt from Section 12 of the act in the public interest.

    This decision stems from a federal cabinet meeting chaired by interim Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar on February 1, 2024. The move, categorised under hardship, was endorsed based on the recommendation of the National Health Services Ministry. The ministry highlighted the escalating costs of raw materials for drug manufacturing in the global market.

    Officials from the National Health Services Ministry and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) informed the cabinet that citizens could report medicine unavailability through the pharmaceutical industry regulator’s online portal.

    Primarily targeting vital medications like those for cancer treatment, vaccines, and antibiotics, the decision, communicated through a drug price hike notification, was based on a proposal from the Drug Regulatory Authority, suggesting price increases for 262 medicines. However, the government opted to implement adjustments for 146 medicines crucial to saving lives.

    According to Brecorder, among the medicines listed for price increments, pharmaceutical companies are tasked with adjusting the prices of 116 medications.

    Significantly, the government will now oversee the prices of 464 medicines included in the National Essential Medicines List, ensuring the accessibility of critical medications to the public.

    The government’s decision to deregulate drug prices grants pharmaceutical companies autonomy to adjust prices independently, marking a significant shift in pharmaceutical pricing governance that may reshape the healthcare industry’s landscape.

    As stakeholders assess the implications, concerns regarding affordability and access to life-saving medications emerge. While the government seeks to balance the viability of pharmaceutical companies with public health interests, the consequences of these adjustments warrant scrutiny and debate.

    However, following the cabinet’s approval of the price increase, a shortage of essential drugs was observed in both the wholesale and retail markets. Drug distributors and retailers attribute this to manufacturers awaiting formal notification from the Health Ministry regarding the price increase before releasing supplies to the market.

    This practice has resulted in significant patient suffering, as Mohammad Samiullah Awan, a drug retailer, highlights. While the notification’s issuance may ensure medicine availability, it further burdens already financially strained consumers grappling with price hikes.

  • PSL 9: Multan Sultans defeats Lahore Qalandars by 5 wickets

    PSL 9: Multan Sultans defeats Lahore Qalandars by 5 wickets

    In the seventh match of HBL Pakistan Super League 9, Multan Sultans defeated Lahore Qalandars by 5 wickets and achieved their third consecutive victory in the event.

    Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Afridi won the toss and decided to bat first.

    Lahore Qalandar’s inning

    Lahore Qalandars scored 166 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs, van der Dusen was prominent by scoring 54 runs.

    Apart from this, Fakhar Zaman scored 41 runs, Sikandar Raza scored 23 runs, Jahandad Khan scored 16 runs, while Sahibzada Farhan was out by scoring 2 runs. Abdullah Shafiq scored 6 runs and Braithwaite remained unbeaten by scoring 15 runs.

    For Multan, Muhammad Ali took 2 wickets, Abbas Afridi and Usama Mir took one wicket each.

    Multan Sultan’s innings

    Multan Sultans achieved the target of 167 runs against Lahore Qalandars for the loss of 5 wickets in 19 overs.

    Captain Muhammad Rizwan was prominent by scoring 82 runs while Iftikhar Ahmed played an unbeaten innings of 34 runs off 11 balls to bring success to the team.

    It should be noted that Lahore Qalandars lost both their matches so far while Multan Sultans won both their matches.

  • Gold rate increases to Rs215,200 per tola

    Gold rate increases to Rs215,200 per tola

    In Wednesday’s market update, the price of 24-karat gold exhibited an upward trend, surging by Rs750 per tola and reaching Rs215,200 per tola.

    The Karachi Sarafa Association noted a marginal gain in the price of 10-gramme 24-karat gold, which stood at Rs184,500, marking an increase of Rs644 from the previous session. Similarly, the price of 10-gramme 22-karat gold experienced an uptick, reaching Rs169,124.

    Global traders are currently anticipating the release of the US Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes on January 30 and 31. This event is expected to provide valuable insights into the economic outlook and potential policy shifts.

    Contrastingly, silver prices remained stable, with 24-karat silver maintaining a selling price of Rs2,580 per tola, and 10-gramme silver being traded at Rs2,211.93.

    It’s noteworthy that domestic gold concluded the previous week in the red zone, influenced by a downturn in international prices. Speaking of global trends, international spot gold hovered around $2,028, showing a 0.2 per cent change compared to the preceding session.

    Market participants are keenly awaiting the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s January policy meeting, scheduled for release on Wednesday, which are anticipated to provide valuable insights into the central bank’s stance and potential future monetary policy adjustments.

  • Fake social media profile pretending to be Vidya Balan caught trying to take money

    Fake social media profile pretending to be Vidya Balan caught trying to take money

    How gullible do you have to be to believe a famous Bollywood actress will try to swindle you for money?

    According to Indian media reports, a fake account surfaced on Instagram under the name of Vidya Balan, offering jobs to people but demanding money in return.
     
    Mumbai police have filed an FIR against the unknown person behind the fake account.

    Balan, who has a large number of followers on social media, was concerned when the account popped up.
     
    Indian media reports state that police have initiated investigations into the fake social media account.

    Maybe the next time people will send money to a fake Salman Khan account offering them bodybuilding tips.

  • PSL 9: Karachi Kings defeats Peshawar Zalmi by 7 wickets

    PSL 9: Karachi Kings defeats Peshawar Zalmi by 7 wickets

    In the sixth match of Pakistan Super League 9, Karachi Kings defeated Peshawar Zalmi by 7 wickets thanks to Kieron Pollard’s brilliant innings.

    Kings captain Shan Masood won the toss and invited Zalmi to bat.

    Peshawar Zalmi’s inning

    Zalmi’s team looked in trouble from the start, Shoaib Malik dismissed Saim Ayub for zero, then Mohammad Haris scored 6 runs and was dismissed by Mir Hamza.

    On behalf of Peshawar Zalmi, captain Babar Azam was outstanding by scoring 72 runs, besides Tom Kohler Cadmore 2, Roman Powell 39, Asif Ali 23, Aamir Jamal 1, Lockwood returned to the pavilion by scoring 8 runs.

    Mir Hamza and Hasan Ali took three wickets each for Karachi Kings.

    Karachi King’s inning

    Karachi Kings easily achieved Peshawar Zalmi’s target of 155 runs in the 17th over, Kieron Pollard scoring 49 runs and James Vince 38 runs unbeaten. Kieron pollard inning included 4 sixes and 4 fours.

    Peshawar Zalmi has lost their two out of two matches in the ongoing PSL season 9.

  • Actress Bushra Ansari doesn’t like new TV show names

    Actress Bushra Ansari doesn’t like new TV show names

    Senior actress Bushra Ansari isn’t happy with the names of today’s TV dramas. A video of her sharing her dislike for the titles is doing the rounds on the internet.

    @galaxylollywood Bushra Ansari talks about the lack of thought and effort that’s put into naming dramas in today’s age, as compared to the olden days. #BushraAnsari #GalaxyLollywood #foryou #fyp ♬ original sound – Galaxy Lollywood

    “When shows were doing well, names mattered a lot. They chose titles carefully, thinking about the characters and the mood of the show,” she said.
    Ansari then opines that show titles nowadays are weird and don’t match the stories, citing ‘Kalmohi’ and ‘Badnaseeb’ as examples.

    “The names of dramas don’t seem to have anything to do with the story,” she commented.

  • If decision made on merit, Imran Khan will be PM of Pakistan: Asad Qaiser

    If decision made on merit, Imran Khan will be PM of Pakistan: Asad Qaiser

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser said on Wednesday that if the decision is made on merit, party founder Imran Khan will be the prime minister of Pakistan.

    While speaking to the media outside of Adiala jail, Rawalpinid, Qaiser said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has conducted the worst polls in the country’s history.

    “We still have hopes from the judicial system of Pakistan,” he remarked, adding that the party will continue its “legal struggle” against the people in power.

    The former speaker of the National Assembly (NA) also said that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) gave him permission to meet Imran Khan, but jail authorities didn’t allow him to do so, instead asking him to come tomorrow.

  • Leave abusive partners: Ainy Jaffri’s empowering advice

    Leave abusive partners: Ainy Jaffri’s empowering advice

    Pakistani actor Ainy Jaffri has talked openly about bad relationships, offering valuable advice to women. She said that it’s not a woman’s job to change a violent man. In a recent podcast, she talked about recognizing and leaving bad relationships quickly.


    Ainy was clear about how serious abuse is in relationships. She said women shouldn’t have to put up with abuse or feel like they have to change their partner.
    “If your husband, boyfriend, or anyone beats you, that’s it – it’s over. He won’t change.” She continued, “If he hit you before, he’ll do it again. And if he doesn’t, great, but it’s not your problem.”


    Ainy emphasized that a problematic man is not like a woman’s child that she has to fix. “You have the right to marry someone who’s already good. You don’t need to be his mother. That was his mother’s job.”


    She passionately stated that every woman deserves to marry a good partner.


    As a public figure, Ainy’s honest talk about this issue helps raise awareness about healthy relationships. Her message reminds everyone that good relationships are built on trust, compassion, and shared responsibility.

  • Babar Azam becomes fastest batter to complete 10,000 runs in T20 cricket

    Babar Azam becomes fastest batter to complete 10,000 runs in T20 cricket

    Records keep on tumbling before the former captain of the national team, Babar Azam. The master batsman has claimed the honor of completing 10,000 runs in the lowest innings in Twenty20 cricket. Babar Azam accomplished the feat in the match being played today against Karachi Kings in PSL 9. He has so far scored 10,025 runs at an average of 43.90 in 271 innings of 281 matches in T20 cricket.

    Before the match against Karachi Kings, Babar Azam needed only six runs to achieve the milestone. Babar has played T20 cricket for 19 teams so far in his career. Earlier this record was held by Chris Gayle who accomplished this feat in 285 innings.

    Virat Kohli is third in this list after completing 10,000 runs in 299 innings, David Warner is fourth after completing 10,000 runs in 303 innings, former Australian batsman Aaron Finch is fifth after completing this feat in 327 innings, while England’s Jos Buttler completed 10 runs in 350 innings.

  • More than 200 Karachi buildings made with poor material

    More than 200 Karachi buildings made with poor material

    More than 200 multi-storied buildings in Karachi have reportedly been constructed using bad quality materials and poor planning.

    KMC has submitted a report to the Sindh High Court on the incidents of fire in multi-storied buildings of Karachi.

    The report highlights the lack of a fire fighting system, emergency exit and other necessary arrangements. It has also been stated that KMC’s suggestion was not taken into consideration while issuing NOC to buildings.

    According to the KMC report, building inspections were conducted on I.I. Chundrigar Road, Khalid Bin Waleed Road, Shahrah e Faisal.

    SBCA has issued completion certificates to these buildings, action is necessary against illegal constructions and NOC issuers, while anti-corruption has initiated action against involved SBCA officers and builders.