Health minister stresses on need to enhance pharmaceutical exports

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Services Aamir Mehmood Kiani on Thursday held a meeting with pharmaceutical exporters to discuss mechanisms to boost the volume of pharmaceutical and alternative medicine exports.

Drug Regulatory Authority Pakistan (DRAP) CEO Dr Sheikh Akhter Hussain apprised the minister that the authority has already taken the initiative to facilitate local manufacturers exporting to other countries.

This includes fast track registration, incentive of registration of one molecule against US $100,000 of export in a fiscal year, guidance and facilitation in issuance of regulatory documentation for export purposes.

Furthermore,  he stated that DRAP is harmonising the regulatory function in line with international best practices for recognition of the local pharmaceutical industry abroad.

The pharmaceutical industry was represented by Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association  (PPMA) and top twenty pharma exporters of the country..

The federal minister, in response to the concerns of the pharmaceutical industry, emphasised on the need to facilitate the pharma export sector by engaging customs and Trade and Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to resolve their grievances.

He said that pharma sector has a huge potential and needs harvesting for the benefit of the country through improved exports of pharmaceutical and alternative medicine.

The minister was informed that the pharma industry could expand export volume as the sixth largest export contributing sector, and has the potential to expand exports to $2 billion from the current $230 million annually.

The federal minister said that exports can be boosted to achieve desired targets by engaging Pakistani missions abroad who could facilitate pharma exporters in ease of doing business after fulfilling the regulatory requirements of importing country.

He also advised the pharma sector to submit a working paper on how the export volume of this sector can be improved.

CEO DRAP assured the pharma industry that the authority will establish a separate desk for export purposes where all concerns will be addressed regarding issuance of necessary documentation.

He said that DRAP will also facilitate the exporters for registration, enlistment and issuance of GMP certificate and certificate of pharmaceutical products (CoPP).

He also assured the pharma sector that DRAP is adamant at ensuring quality, safety and efficacy of medicine and every effort will be made to facilitate the industry in the ambit of the law.

The boost in pharmaceutical and alternative medicine sector will also be able to bring new technologies and research and development labs in Pakistan.