Minister for Health, Muhammad Nasir Khan on Monday said country's exports of pharmaceuticals products have reached $1.35 billion from $800 million this year, showing a considerable growth.
National pharmaceutical industry is progressing well and ready to launch itself in the international market, he said while addressing a foundation stone laying ceremony of Filter Clinic being built by Indus Pharma at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).
Nasir Khan said today national pharma industry, in terms of units, takes care of around 80 percent of the share of domestic pharma market. This itself is an indicator of confidence of medical profession on our pharma industry, he added.
Assuring full support to pharma industry, he said the government foresees a great potential for this industry in future.
The minister appreciated great contribution from Pims as well as pharma industry during the last year's earthquake and said this is in continuation of the situation that ministry of health felt the need for establishment of filter clinics in Pims to control and manage the ever increasing number of patients. He said the present government is giving priority to the health of people and has enhanced the budget for health to Rs 12 billion.
The minister said in all federal government hospitals of the country, kidney patients would be provided free of cost dialysis facility. The minister said government would launch a programme - Early Detection and Treatment of Breast Cancer in Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director, Indus Pharma, Zahid Saeed said the facility will serve around 1,200-1,500 patients daily.
The pre-fabricated building of filter clinic is expected to be completed within two months and would have 28 rooms in addition to laboratory, waiting room and canteen facility. Secretary Health, Syed Anwar Mahmood and Executive Director Pims, Dr Fazl-e-Hadi were also present on the occasion.