DRAP is going for Automation, Digitalization & Govt. is
sincere to provide enabling environment for Drugs Export
Pakistani drugs are brand leaders in many countries where we export
which shows Trust and Confidence of their people – Tauqeer Ul Haq
8th Pakistan Pharma Summit by PPMA
ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has urged the Pakistani pharma industry to aim for Thirty Million US dollars export in the next few years and putting drugs and medical devices together, it is not impossible. We are capable of meeting this target. Ministry of health is acting as a facilitator and we have been achieving many things in bits and pieces. Now decisions are being taken keeping in view our requirements and industry’s desires. We do not wish to interfere in your business but facilitate your business. He was speaking at the 8th Pharma Summit & PESA Awards ceremony organized by Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) here on September 25th 2025. It was largely attended by representatives of the pharmaceutical trade and industry various departments, people from Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, different ministries and Planning Commission.
Syed Mustafa Kamal Federal Health Minister, Mr. Jim Harris and Dr. Obaidullah Chief Executive of DRAP speaking at the 8th Pakistan Pharma Summit organized by PPMA at Islamabad on September 24th 2025.
Continuing Syed Mustafa Kamal said, let us all work together and work hard. I am myself available round the clock to listen to you. We are trying to improve our efficiency. DRAP is going for automation and digitalization. After deregulation let us move forward and come out of comfort zone. Motivation with Enabling environment should increase our Export of drugs. I plead your case in the cabinet and some get the impression as if I am your agent. Drug prices is a very sensitive issue with the government. I understand the issue and I will go for it. We are pleading your case the way you cannot plead it. I plead it because I know you are right. We are having headlines blaming the government of the day for price increase. I have prepared a document of thirty-five pages and eight pages. I know the details as I have to speak in many forums. Trust i us, we are doing our best. We must use the technology. I am optimistic. We have health sector which is better termed a sick care sector. Tertiary hospitals are overburdened. By using TeleMedicine, we plan to improve our primary healthcare. With the use of TeleMedicine, it is planned to refer patients to primary healthcare We wish to reform the primary healthcare system in Pakistan.
At present we are going nowhere We have started this as a pilot project. Drugs will be delivered at the doorstep. It will reduce rush in tertiary care hospitals. Cervical cancer vaccination has been initiated. We need to start local production of vaccines so that we are not dependent on others. We must start indigenous production of vaccines. Why cannot we do that, come together and try to find a solution. We can start vaccine production with foreign collaboration. Prevention of diseases should be given preference. Let us stop producing more sick people. Make sure that people do not fall sick as we cannot provide all of them curative services, he remarked.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal along with other guests presenting Mementoes to Mr. Tauqeer Ul Haq Chairman PPMA, Mr. Jalal during the
8th Pakistan Pharma Summit organized by PPMA at Islamabad on
September 24th 2025.
Mr. Tauqeer Ul Haq Chairman of PPMA in his address highlighted the remarkable growth of the pharma industry. It has not only shown tremendous growth but also provided cost effective drugs to the people of Pakistan. Mr. Haroon Qasim and Dr. Kaiser Waheed has organized this event and brought all stake holders on one platform. We have got good international speakers. It is a great opportunity for all of us to learn. At present 80% of pharma market is held by national pharma industry and 90% of drugs being used are produced locally. We are moving for self-reliance and innovations. Healthcare industry makes sure that we provide quality drugs to the people of Pakistan. He commended the increase in drug exports by the pharma industry helping the country by bringing in foreign exchange. Pakistani brands are leaders in many countries where we are exporting our drugs. It shows trust and confidence of people of those countries.
Continuing, Mr. Tauqeer Ul Haq said that there is great potential and we could achieve all that the government wish. He appreciated the help and assistance being extended by Federal Health Ministry and CEO of DRAP to bring pharma industry in line with the international companies. Two years ago, there was serios shortage of many drugs in the market as we had 25% inflation. We faced lot of agony. Government understood and deregulation of drug prices was undertaken which came as a great help. All drugs are now available. Anti-cancer drugs are also now available. This gave confidence to the industry and new investment was witnessed. The result was 34% increase drugs exports, the highest in the last twenty years. Now eight companies have got PIC accreditation and two from WHO. Ten to fifteen companies will get PICS accreditation soon. We could achieve all that with the support of the government. We hope this policy will continue in the days to come and we aim at Three Billion drugs exports. Due to some of the issues many multinationals left the country local industry came forward to ensure uninterrupted supply of drugs.
Syed Mustafa Kamal Federal Health Minister presenting Mementoes to Mr. Saeed Ghani, Mr. Nadeem Rahmat, Mr. Jim Harris and other distinguished guests during the 8th Pakistan Pharma Summit organized by PPMA at Islamabad on
September 24th 2025.
Unfortunately, the pharma industry in the past faced lot of harassment and prosecution of CEOs who were dragged to the drugs courts and treated as criminals. Government gave us facilitation; ministry of law and DRAP came forward and amended the law. New guidelines are now in line with international standards. formulated by DRAP which just like fresh breeze. MNCs have stated they will stay Ministry of commerce has prepared a position Paper. We will have Pharma Export Council, its importance has realized and accepted. DRAP also helped us and it is submitted to the health ministry for approval. Private and public sector should work together to achieve the target of Three Billion dollars export in a yar. He also highlighted that cases of thirty-five essential drugs were approved by the Policy Board but the Prime Minister did not approve it hence this case is pending. Price fixation of these drugs must be decided for which we need your help.
Another request he made related to production of certain combinations which is their requirement but we do not get registration. These combinations should be approved which will also increase our exports.
Future of pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan. Mr. Tauqeer Ul Haq stated was very bright. We have a Vison but need Action. Quality drugs should be made available to the local population. If we make our drugs available outside Pakistan it will also help improve our image. We ask for vaccines. Through CPEC we can have arrangements for transfer of technology to ensure local production of vaccines through public private partnership. Vaccines production can be started. We should take it seriously. Almost 90% of APIs are currently imported an only 10% we produced locally. With government support we should be able to make investment and produce APIs locally. Anti-cancer drugs not produced locally. He made a passionate plea that Pharma industry should be consulted whenever any policy is being formulated. Previously decisions used to take in years which are now taken in a week. Digitalization has made all the difference. Registration boards are doing things properly. It is a motivation for us we are now being listened to and our problems are also being solved. We can have five hundred million dollars exports from neighboring country. He concluded is speech by stating:
Dr. Kaiser Waheed Chairperson of the Pharma Summit in his speech remarked that since 1967 when PPMA was established, thing have changed a lot. We are now hopeful for the formation of Independent Pharma Export Council which we have been demanding since many years. When drug prices were deregulated, we have shown 34% increase in drug exports and PPMA had a role in it. Currently about ten companies are accredited by WHO and PICS while many other companies have the potential but they are not focusing on exports at present. We have invited foreign speakers to talk about what are the international standards, he added.
Film Show
This was followed by a Film show wherein some Senir Chief Executives of pharma industry including Dr. Kaiser Waheed, Mr. Haroon Qasim and Mr. Tauqeer UL Haque featured. It highlighted the fact that now 90% of drugs used in Pakistan are being produced locally. It also referred to difficulties faced for exports to United States and Europe. It was stated that we need to focus more on Far East market. Government has to take some more decisions to help the industry. Some industries are allowed to retain 35% of their export earnings, the government should allow the pharma industry at least 25% so that it can make further investments to upgrade the facilities and improve quality assurance and go for international accreditation Time to think Big and Act Now.
Mr. Haroon Qasim Deputy Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Pharma Summit stated that Dr. Kaiser Waheed is the moving spirit behind all these activities. Pakistan pharma industry export lifesaving drugs to sixty countries of the world. We take care of suffering of humanity. Our dependence on imported drugs has reduced. AI and drug discovery are the buzz word these days but are we ready for this transformation, he asked. He also commended the help of DRAP to the pharma industry.
