• Health minister says coordinating closely with pharmaceutical industry
• PPMA notes it is absorbing rising energy and logistics costs

ISLAMABAD: Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday clai­med that Pakistan holds sufficient medicine stocks to meet demand for the next five to six months.

On the other hand, the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has annou­nced that, while energy and logistics costs are fluctuating rapidly, the industry is absorbing these shocks and not passing any additional burden on to the public.

“Despite ongoing international challenges, the health ministry and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap), in close coordination with the pharmaceutical industry, have taken timely and effective measures to safeguard medicine supplies,” Mr Kamal said while chairing a meeting held to review the availability of medicines and the resilience of the national supply chain in light of the prevailing security situation.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, along with the Federal Secretary for Health and the Chief Executive Of­­ficer of Drap, Dr Obaidullah Malik.

The primary objective of the meeting was to assess and strengthen a comprehensive strategy to ensure the uninterrupted availability of medicines across the country under all circumstances.

Participants also conducted a detailed review of the availability of helium gas used in MRI machines, recognising its critical importance for diagnostic services nationwide.

Speaking on the occasion, the mi­­nister said that proactive steps have ensured the uninterrupted avail­ability of medicines across Pakistan.

He further noted that the country currently holds sufficient medicine stocks to meet demand for the next five to six months. He reassured the public that, despite the prevailing global situation, there will be no shortage of medicines and citizens will not face any difficulties in accessing treatment.

He added that the ministry and Drap are maintaining strict oversight to ensure a continuous supply, while the government remains fully committed to providing uninterrupted access to essential healthcare services.

PPMA perspective

PPMA Chairman (North) Usman Shaukat, while speaking to Dawn, said that Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry will remain committed to providing life-saving and essential medicines to the market, even in li­­g­­­­ht of the current geopolitical crisis.

“The industry is maintaining ample stocks of raw materials and packaging to ensure the uninterrupted supply of medicines to the masses. Even in the current environment of rising economic costs, the pharmaceutical industry rema­ins committed to providing quality medicines at affordable prices to the public. While energy and logistics costs are fluctuating rapidly during these times, the industry is absorbing these shocks and is not passing any additional burden on to the people,” he said.

Usman Shaukat added that the ministry and Drap are working closely to ensure that supply chains are not disrupted. “We appreciate the government’s proactive appr­o­ach to ensuring the availability of medicines for the masses,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2026