ISLAMABAD, April 28: Despite several efforts, the government has not facilitated alternative pharmaceuticals manufacturers causing severe problems for the industry. India exports herbal medicines worth $8bn annually, while our exports are worth $160m including chemical and allopathic pharmaceuticals.

This was stated by General Secretary of Alternative Pharmaceuticals Manufacturer Association (APHMA) Noman Farooq during a press conference at the National Press Club on Sunday.

He said all medicines other than allopathic are considered alternate medicines. India has made its pharmacopoeia, while Bangladesh’s pharmacopoeia regarding alternate medicine is in the last stage of completion, but the government of Pakistan has not even started preparing.

“According to rules of World Trade Organization (WTO), if we fail to make our pharmacopoeia we will not be able to export medicines after 2016. Besides, India has patented most of the names in the international market, so problems are increasing for us every passing day,” he said.

Mr Farooq said there were more than 100 manufacturers and 3,000 franchisers in different parts of Pakistan who are dealing in alternative medicines. If the government sets a clear and positive direction, they could repay all financial loans within 5-10 years by exporting Unani (herbal) medicines.

Alternative medicines have become widely accepted even in the European countries, and the WHO is currently involved in making rules for the Third World countries which would be impossible to adopt at once. In this regard, India was also involved in pushing Pakistan back, he added.

The association strongly requested the government to first complete the sector assessment by enlisting all manufacturers, importers and franchisers. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan should invite the representatives of small and medium enterprises while framing the rules, it said.

The APHMA said that like pharma industry, import duties should be waved off the raw materials used in Herbal products. Labs having capability to check herbal products should be provided by the government in all provinces, and a Free Sale Certificate (main document for export) should be issued in the best interest of industry.

Noman Farooq, while talking to Dawn, said there were no rules and regulations for alternative pharmaceuticals due to which steroids were being sold in the name of herbal medicines.

“The government should introduce Indian pharmacopoeia in Pakistan at once to discourage the sale of steroids as drugs, and start preparing our own pharmacopoeia,” he said.