Department of Drug Administration Director General recalled over unauthorized price hikes

Kathmandu. Narayan Prasad Dhakal, Director General of the Department of Drug Administration, has been recalled to the Ministry of Health as a disciplinary action following allegations of unauthorized increases in medicine prices. The decision was made by Health and Population Minister Nisha Mehta on Thursday night.

The recall follows a directive from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to investigate the price hikes. The Prime Minister's Office has instructed Health Secretary Bikash Devkota to form a three-member expert committee to conduct the probe.

Sources close to the Prime Minister stated that the directive was issued based on complaints filed at the Prime Minister's Office, with a requirement to submit a report within seven days.

'What happened regarding the medicine price hike? What are the pricing procedures? Identify who is involved in the irregularities and submit a report,' the directive from the Prime Minister's Office stated.

The issue of unauthorized price hikes was also raised by lawmakers in the House of Representatives recently. During Wednesday's session, Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Rajiv Khatri questioned the unauthorized price increases, suggesting that a multi-billion rupee scam might be involved.

Citing the Auditor General's report, lawmaker Khatri alleged that there have been serious irregularities in drug management.