90% of Pakistan’s Medicines Now Locally Made

Healthcare experts and government officials, speaking at a national workshop, have urged drug regulators, pharmaceutical industries, and academia to work collaboratively in the manufacturing of quality healthcare products. It was noted that 90 percent of the country’s total drugs are being produced domestically. Speakers highlighted that there are more than 700 pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in the country, and the pharma industry accounts for 52 percent of the country’s total exports. These remarks were made during the inaugural session of the one-day National Workshop titled “The Role of Regulators, Pharma Industry, and Academia in Promoting Quality Healthcare Products”, jointly organized by the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi, and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). The event was held at the Prof. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui Auditorium, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, on Saturday. The session was addressed by several prominent figures, including Rehan Iqbal Baloch, Provincial Health Secretary, Government of Sindh; Tauqeer Ul Haq, Chairman of the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA); Prof. Dr. Atta-ur Rahman, Professor Emeritus and former Federal Minister for Science and Technology; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah, Director ICCBS; Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH; Nadira Panjwani, Chairperson of the Dr. Panjwani Memorial Trust; and Dr. Saif-ur-Rahman Khatak, Director of DRAP. Health Secretary Rehan Iqbal Baloch emphasized the importance of producing essential medicines within the country. He urged the pharma industry to focus on manufacturing essential medications for the common man, adding that the Sindh Government is ready to support the pharmaceutical sector and academia in raising the standard of healthcare products. He also applauded the research facilities available at the ICCBS, University of Karachi. Tauqeer Ul Haq highlighted the significant growth of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry. He noted that over 700 medicine manufacturing companies are producing 90 percent of the country’s total drug supply, and that the industry holds a 70 percent share of the domestic market. Prof. Atta-ur Rahman stressed the need for a unified platform that brings together industry leaders, manufacturers, exporters, government representatives, and researchers to explore the opportunities and challenges in the healthcare sector. He also praised the creativity and academic excellence of Pakistani students, particularly their performance in Cambridge examinations. Prof. Muhammad Raza Shah, also a UNESCO Chair holder, emphasized the importance of science and technology for national progress. Referring to ICCBS, he described it as a premier institution with world-class facilities, whose scholars are serving both the nation and the international community. He noted that the workshop provides an excellent platform for regulators, industry leaders, and academic experts to discuss collaborative strategies that ensure the safety, efficacy, and innovation of healthcare products. Prof. M. Iqbal Choudhary acknowledged the contributions of many individuals in developing ICCBS into a world-class institution. He highlighted the strong correlation between improved healthcare and increased life expectancy. Nadira Panjwani underscored the critical importance of ensuring the availability of quality medicines, calling it a cornerstone of the healthcare sector. She commended Prof. Raza Shah for organizing the workshop and fostering collaboration between regulators, industry, and academia. The event concluded with a vote of thanks presented by Dr. Saif-ur-Rahman Khatak.