Kathmandu, March 24 -- Medicines used by hundreds of thousands of patients across the country will become costlier soon, as pharma companies in Nepal warn they can no longer manufacture medicines at current prices due to a sharp rise in raw material and other costs.

Along with the higher raw material costs, the companies cite a sharp rise in the US dollar, increased transport fares, a shortage of medical-grade plastic as reasons for the price hike.

Representatives of the Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal met with Department of Drug Administration officials on Tuesday, seeking permission to raise medicine prices.

"Representatives of drug manufacturing companies complained about rising costs of raw materials and other rela...