Islamabad: In response to escalating regional tensions, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has taken strategic steps to ensure the uninterrupted availability of essential medicines across the country. DRAP has formally directed pharmaceutical companies to diversify their sourcing of raw materials and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), reducing reliance on any single country, particularly India.
This statement was issued by Mr. Noor Muhammad Mahar a pharmacist, advocate, and President of the Pakistan Drug Lawyer Forum who lauded DRAP’s foresight and called the move both timely and visionary.
Mr. Mahar revealed that advisories for alternate sourcing had already been circulated by DRAP and the federal government as early as three months prior to the current Indo-Pak conflict. These proactive measures have proven effective, as there is currently no shortage of essential medicines nationwide, despite rising geopolitical instability.
Highlighting Pakistan's pharmaceutical capabilities, Mr. Mahar noted that over nine local companies are already manufacturing APIs, including:
- Pharmagen (Ferozepur Road, Lahore)
- Zenith Laboratories (Raiwind Road, Lahore)
- City Pharmaceutical (Multan Road, Lahore)
- Neutro Pharma (Sheikhupura Road, Lahore)
- Global Pharma (Islamabad)
Alpha Chemicals (Lahore) – known for producing key APIs like ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.
He drew parallels with India’s transformation into a global pharmaceutical leader following its 1981 policy that allowed local production of APIs without excessive regulatory hurdles a model he suggested Pakistan should follow.
Mr. Mahar emphasized that Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry is already exporting to 55 countries, demonstrating its global potential. He concluded with confidence that, thanks to early preventive actions, Pakistan is well-positioned to maintain a stable pharmaceutical supply chain, even if cross-border tensions continue to escalate.
