The pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan is a significant and growing sector, both in terms of domestic healthcare and the national economy. Here’s an overview of its key aspects:
Overview
- Size & Scope: Worth over PKR 700 billion (approx. $2.5 billion USD as of recent estimates).
- Local Production: Around 70-80% of medicines consumed in Pakistan are produced locally.
- Companies: Over 700 pharmaceutical manufacturing units, including both local and multinational companies (MNCs).
- Exports: Pakistan exports pharmaceuticals to more than 60 countries, including parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Major Players
- Local Giants:
- Getz Pharma (the first WHO-approved facility in Pakistan)
- Martin Dow
- Sami Pharmaceuticals
- Hilton Pharma
- Multinationals:
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
- Sanofi
- Pfizer
- Novartis
Growth & Trends
- Increasing focus on generics and biosimilars
- Rising public and private sector investments
- Digital health and e-prescriptions emerging post-COVID
- Government initiatives to promote local API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) production
Regulatory Bodies
- DRAP – Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan: Oversees quality, pricing, and licensing.
- Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSRC)
Challenges
- Heavy dependence on imported raw materials (esp. from China & India)
- Price controls and delays in regulatory approvals
- Issues with counterfeit drugs
- Lack of R&D infrastructure compared to global standards
Opportunities
- Growing demand due to increasing population and healthcare awareness
- Export potential with better regulation and international certifications
- Local production of API to reduce dependency on imports