‘Pakistan has a huge potential in terms of pharma exports.’

Are you happy with the manner DRAP is regulating the pharmaceuticals sector?
DRAP functions have improved over time. But it still has an ad hoc structure with the major stakeholders on a short-term contract basis. With this approach, it is not possible to make progressive and future-oriented decisions for the betterment of the system. I think positions like CEO and other directors should be for a longer period to support the strategic vision. Also, there is an acute shortage of human resources in DRAP which leads to unnecessary delays and longer processes.

Though the prices of the medicines have over time increased, has the industry invested substantially to upgrade itself in the last few years?
With increasing inflation and cost of doing business, including raw material due to the dollar rate, recently the pricing policy was approved on the basis of Consumer Price Index. It was a necessary step to support the industry in providing quality medicines to the patients and ensuring supply. In the case of non-effective pricing, many medicines become out of stock in the market due to non-feasibility. Furthermore, effective pricing enables the manufacturer to invest in quality and we have seen in the last few years that quality standards have substantially increased in the country and many companies are following international standards in Pakistan.

Why does the pharmaceuticals industry in Pakistan not opt for third party manufacturing to cater to the demand and bring prices down?
Third party manufacturing is surely a great tool to achieve economy of scale and bring the cost down. We had a non-practical contract manufacturing policy in Pakistan which was very restrictive in nature. It has limitations like the maximum number of brands produced as well as restrictions per area. But now it is being revised and approved in consultation with all the stakeholders which will help to manage the demand and make cost-effective treatment options.

Many people in the country have no access to modern medicines. Why is that?
New and advanced molecules and treatment options must be introduced in the country in a timely manner. This supports and improves the healthcare system of the country and it is the right of patients to get new therapies. The process for bringing modern medicines is unfortunately long and takes a lot of time to be approved and finalized.

How has the Covid-19 pandemic impacted the pharmaceuticals industry?
COVID has deeply impacted the industry and the country as a whole. All major clinics and hospitals were either closed or converted into COVID facilities. Despite that, the pharmaceutical industry worked day and night during the pandemic to ensure that there were no shortages in the country. They lost so many people during the process for this greater cause. The industry also launched all needed therapies recommended by WHO for the treatment of COVID symptoms.

Is the industry already successful or is there much more distance to cover?
National companies are advancing and increasing quality as per international standards. The local companies are catering to around 70% of the country’s pharma market and around 90% to 95% of the requirements are met by locally manufactured medicines. Now focus should be put on producing APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients) and Bio-similars as we are importing around 95% of the raw material from outside Pakistan.

Can Pakistan become a major pharmaceuticals exporting country?
Pakistan has a huge potential in terms of pharma exports. Pakistani pharma companies are already engaged in exports but it can be increased manifold with the right policies from the Government and the major stakeholders. Our country is producing high-quality medicines which can compete with the products of other countries.