95% Medicine in Pakistan is Locally Produced: PPMA Chairman

A delegation from the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), led by its Chairman, met with Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan to discuss the challenges facing the sector and seek government support to enhance pharmaceutical exports. The Chairman emphasized that 95 percent of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical production was local, with only 5 percent imported, indicating a significant opportunity for export growth. The Chairman highlighted that Pakistan’s pharmaceutical exports currently stand at $341 million, but with government backing, this figure could reach multiple billions of dollars. He proposed the establishment of a Pharma Export Promotion Council as a central organization for the development of this innovation-driven sector, modelled on successful examples of neighboring countries to streamline and enhance the industry’s performance. Jam Kamal Khan acknowledged the immense potential for pharmaceutical exports, particularly in markets across South-West Asia and Central Asia. He encouraged the PPMA to submit a comprehensive proposal to enhance exports, assuring them that the Ministry of Commerce, through the Export Development Fund (EDF), would provide the necessary support.