Govt scraps essential medicines list, drug pricing policy
The Cabinet says the 2026 list and pricing framework were adopted without consulting the National Drug Advisory Council, as required under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 2023.
Highlights:
- Decision taken over failure to consult National Drug Advisory Council
- 1994 essential medicines list and pricing system remain in force
- Drug Advisory Council formed on 29 June under 2023 law
- Govt to update essential medicines list and revise pricing policy
The Cabinet has approved a proposal to revoke the Essential Medicines List 2026 and the Drug Pricing Mechanism 2026, citing procedural irregularities in their formulation.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat yesterday (3 August).
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According to a handout issued by the Press Information Department (PID), the government remains committed to ensuring the availability of safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines.
The 2026 Essential Medicines List and Drug Pricing Mechanism were formulated without seeking the advice of the National Drug Advisory Council, a requirement under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 2023.
The two policies were introduced in January 2026 during the tenure of the interim government. Their legality was later challenged before the High Court, where the matter remains under judicial consideration.
The cabinet noted that the National Drug Advisory Council was formally constituted on 29 June in accordance with the 2023 law. It also approved a proposal to include the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) as a member of the council.
Despite the cancellation of the 2026 policies, the 1994 Essential Medicines List and the government-approved pricing system for those medicines will remain in force.
The government also decided to update the essential medicines list and formulate a revised pricing mechanism to ensure medicines remain affordable for consumers while maintaining healthy competition in the pharmaceutical market.
