The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination is said to have lodged a protest with the Commerce Ministry for not establishing Pharma Export Promotion Council announced in Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 2015-18, well-informed sources told Business Recorder.
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, Saira Afzal Tarar is expected to hold a detailed meeting with the Minister for Commerce and Industry, Pervaiz Malik next week and apprise him of the woes of pharma sector.
As per IMS health estimates, the pharmaceutical industry of Pakistan is worth around $ 3 billion with 700 pharmaceutical units in the country meeting 80 percent of domestic requirements and, if appropriate measures are taken, can contribute to a quantum jump in total exports of the country. However, despite immense potential, Pakistan pharma industry has a negligible presence in the global market with an export turnover of around $ 200 million with most of its exports destined for African countries.
Bangladesh exported medicines worth $249 million in fiscal year 2015-2016, while Pakistan could only export medicines worth $103.03 million because of heavy fees imposed by Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
Mrs. Tarar maintains that non compliance with stringent regulatory standards of importing countries, lack of investment/up-gradation of manufacturing facilities and high tariffs/taxes are some of the major factors affecting the export growth. Neighbouring countries are already ahead of Pakistan in pharma exports and offer lucrative incentives to new investment in this sector.
On September 1, 2017, a delegation of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) led by Minister for National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to apprise him of the multiple challenges being faced by the pharma industry. Prime Minister while assuring his full support to the pharma industry expressed the desire to set up Export Promotion Council for the pharmaceutical sector, on the lines of Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (PHARMEXCIL) in order to boost the pharma exports.
Ministry of Commerce, under the Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 2015-18 has already taken a lead role in implementing a number of initiatives to enhance exports. STPF also provides for establishment of Pharma Export Promotion Council for institutional development and strengthening. Besides representatives of Ministry of Commerce, FBR and pharmaceutical Associations etc, Additional Secretary Ministry of NHSR&C and Chief Executive Officer Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan may be nominated as ex-officio members of the Council.
National Assembly's Standing Committee on National Health Services has already offered to act as a mediator between drug manufacturers, the health ministry, and Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) so that issues could be resolved on a priority regarding manufacturing and availability of essential medicines in the market to avoid shortage of mandatory drugs.
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