Islamabad (TDI): A delegation of the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) called on the Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on Wednesday.
The delegation led by PPMA chairman Dr Israr Sharif discussed the challenges facing the sector and sought the government’s support to increase pharmaceutical exports.
The chairman emphasized that Pakistan was locally producing 95 percent of pharmaceutical products, which showed there was a massive opportunity for export growth.
Read More: AfDB Approves Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation
“Pakistan’s pharmaceutical exports currently stand at $341 million, but with government support, we can take this figure to multiple billion dollars,” the chairman said.
He proposed the establishment of a Pharma Export Promotion Council as a central organisation for the development of this innovation-driven sector, modelled on successful examples of neighbouring countries to streamline and enhance the industry’s performance.
Read More: Employee Mental Health Key Factor in Productivity
Minister Jam Kamal Khan acknowledged the immense potential for pharmaceutical exports, particularly in markets across South-West Asia and Central Asia.
He encouraged the PPMA to submit a comprehensive proposal to enhance exports, assuring them that the Ministry of Commerce, through the Export Development Fund (EDF), would provide the necessary support.
