PESHAWAR, Dec 23: Federal Minister for Health Naseer Ahmed Khan has said that a separate duty-free zone has been planned at the Gawadar Port to help pharmaceutical manufacturers and promote pharmaceutical products.

Addressing members of the Sarhad Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) at the Chamber House here on Thursday, the minister said that the government planned to establish a duty-free zone at Gawadar on the patron of Jable Ali in Dubai.

"It would help export of medicines to the Middle East, African and European countries," said the minister while explaining prospects of the pharmaceutical duty-free zone.

Responding to problems being faced by NWFP-based pharmaceutical manufacturers, the minister held out an assurance that the registration of medicines would be made within three months and equal prices would be fixed for medicines manufactured by different companies having the same kind of ingredients.

He also assured the manufacturers of drugs to change their attitude and play a positive role in the development and promotion of institutions responsible for the manufacturing of quality medicines.

The President of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Malik Niaz Ahmad, presided over the meeting while NWFP Minister for Health Inayatullah, senior SCCI Vice-President Sharafat Ali Mubarak, Vice-President Zahidullah Khan Shiwanri and members of the executive committee attended the meeting.

The federal minister informed the SCCI meeting that at present the market share of the local pharmaceutical industry against the multi-national companies was 65 per cent, which is an ample proof that the government was taking measures for the development of the pharmaceutical sector.

He said the pharmaceutical companies should establish a display centre in Islamabad, where they should exhibit their products to show it to foreign buyers.

Mr Khan said the government would take more members from the private sector on drug regulatory committee and formal meetings of the committee would also be ensured to take effective measures for the resolution of the problems of pharmaceutical industries.

Replying a question, he said the World Trade Organization (WTO) regime would not affect the pharmaceutical sector. He said a member of the private sector would be taken in the board for registration of medicines to make the process more transparent and fast.

Expressing concern over the selling of old and expired drugs, he expressed concern and made it clear that no one would be allowed to play with lives of the people. He said the federal government had increased budget allocations for health which, in turn, help the people in getting better medical facilities.