Islamabad: The Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination engaged in discussions with the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) to address pivotal issues in the pharmaceutical sector. Key topics included regulatory amendments, the local production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and the expansion of export opportunities, particularly in collaboration with Afghanistan.

The Federal Minister underscored the Government’s dedication to strengthening domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing. Emphasizing the strategic significance of API production, the Minister highlighted the dual benefits of reducing import dependency and enhancing export potential. “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 stated.

To support this initiative, the Minister instructed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to create a comprehensive proposal for establishing a Naphtha Cracker facility. This project aims to achieve self-reliance in producing essential raw materials for the industry.

The Minister also reiterated the Government’s commitment to eliminating counterfeit medicines. A modern trace and track system will be introduced, featuring unique bar codes on medicines. This system will enable patients to verify authenticity and retail prices using mobile phones.

The meeting concluded with a consensus to fortify public-private partnerships, refine regulatory frameworks, and pursue strategic initiatives to enhance pharmaceutical manufacturing, ensure medicine quality, and boost exports.