ISLAMABAD: Minister for National Health Services Regulations and Coordination Aamer Mehmood Kiani on Monday said the government would take measures to resolve key issues of the pharmaceutical industry to facilitate its growth and exports.

He was talking to a delegation of leading pharma manufacturers and exporters from Islamabad/Rawalpindi region led by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Ahmed Hassan Mughal.

Mr Kiani said the pharma industry was playing an important role in the economic development of the country and the government would take all possible measures to create a conducive environment for its growth.

He said another meeting would be held in the near future with the pharma manufacturers/exporters in which all concerned officers would also be present to address the major hurdles being faced by the industry.

The ICCI president said pharma was a growing industry of the country but facing many challenges due to lack of attention from the government side.

He said India’s pharmaceutical exports had reached $24 billion per annum while Pakistan’s were just $250 million which were much lower compared to the actual potential of the industry.

He said the government should resolve problems being faced by the industry to help it emerge as a major source of exports for the country.

He said the government had formed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) in 2012 which could not play its due role to facilitate and promote the industry. He said the authority should be made proactive in facilitating the growth of the sector.

Nasir M. Qureshi and other members of delegation said the industry was importing 90pc raw material but the huge devaluation of rupee had created additional problems for it.

They said prices of pharma products had not been increased since 2000 in Pakistan due to which the manufacturers were purchasing raw material at high prices and selling finished good at low prices which was not a viable option for them.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2018