ISLAMABAD: The Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination recently convened a meeting with representatives from the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) to discuss critical issues affecting the pharmaceutical sector.
The discussions focused on proposed amendments to drug regulations, boosting indigenous production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and expanding export opportunities, with particular emphasis on strengthening bilateral trade ties with Afghanistan.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting the domestic pharmaceutical industry, the Minister underscored the strategic importance of local API production.
“We must work jointly to ensure local production of APIs, not only to reduce reliance on imports and save valuable foreign exchange reserves, but also to unlock the export potential of our pharmaceutical products,” the Minister said.
To facilitate this goal, the Minister instructed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to prepare a detailed concept note on establishing a Naphtha Cracker facility. This initiative is designed to foster self-reliance in producing essential raw materials required by the pharmaceutical sector.
Addressing concerns over counterfeit medicines, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s determination to eliminate fake drugs from the market.
A modern trace and track system will be introduced, featuring a unique barcode on every medicine package. This will enable consumers to verify the authenticity and retail price of medicines conveniently through their mobile phones.
The meeting ended with a consensus to enhance public-private collaboration, streamline regulatory processes, and pursue joint initiatives aimed at strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing, ensuring medicine quality, and boosting exports.
