July 25, 2007	Wednesday	Rajab 09, 1428

ISLAMABAD, July 24: Pakistan offers attractive incentives for investment in pharmaceutical sector and investors should take advantage of the investors’ friendly-policy, Minister for Health Muhammad Nasir Khan said on Tuesday.

He was talking to a three-member delegation of American Business Council, which called on him to discuss matters pertaining to pharmaceutical industry.

The minister told the delegation that the ministry of health was fully aware of its responsibilities and was in close liaison with Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO) on the issue of patents of pharmaceutical industry.

He assured the delegation that the pharmaceutical patents would be fully protected.

He appreciated the efforts of the ABC members to increase exports of medicines and investment to modernise the manufacturing facilities for production of high quality medicines.

He informed the delegation that on the recommendation of ministry of health, the pharmaceutical industry had been given relief in duties and taxes in the budget with a view to reduce the input cost of the medicines for their availability at affordable prices to the common man.

It was decided in the meeting to constitute a task force on pharmaceutical industry, which will have representation from the industry and the ministry.—APP