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KARACHI: Dr Faisal Sultan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for health, on Saturday called on drugmakers to increase their exports to narrow the overall trade gap, which would benefit the economy.
The Prime Minister’s Assistant for Health said it at the closing ceremony of the 1st Pharmaceutical Export Summit and Awards-2021, organized by the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association.
Dr Sultan called on Pakistani drug makers to invest more in research and innovation so that the country can produce drugs and introduce the necessary medical interventions in the future to treat patients.
He cited examples of world famous pharmaceutical companies that have made billions of dollars in profits through their hard work in research and innovation.
“We believe that the Pakistani pharmaceutical industry has the potential to make much more progress and advancement than it is today.”
The industry has the potential to increase Pakistani pharmaceutical exports to exceed the current target of $ 5 billion, he said.
He said the government had decided that a reform process would be initiated to improve the functioning of the Pakistan Medicines Regulatory Authority to improve its ability to regulate all therapeutic products, medical equipment and devices sold in the country. country.
The Prime Minister’s assistant admitted that the current drug regime had often proved too cumbersome to launch new drugs on the Pakistani market, discouraging the manufacturers concerned from such an investment, which was otherwise necessary for the protection of public health.
He said the pharmaceutical industry was among the top three or four sectors with the capacity to boost the country’s exports.
He has also led the pharmaceutical industry to ensure the quality, availability and affordability of their products at all costs.
“Always keep in mind that your primary stakeholder is the patient, because the availability of quality medicines at low cost for patients is your business, your obligation and also your honor,†said Dr Sultan.
He said a competitive pricing mechanism should be adopted to ensure that the public has access to essential drugs in the country.
He urged the pharmaceutical industry to adopt a set of ethical guidelines for the marketing of its products, as this would increase its credibility and respect in the eyes of the general public.
In his concluding remarks, Dr Sultan appreciated the investment made by the Pakistani pharmaceutical industry to match international manufacturing standards.
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