The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association has firmly rejected recent reports suggesting a widespread shortage of life-saving medicines. Labeling such claims as alarmist and misleading, the association stressed that both essential and non-essential drug supplies remain stable.

According to the association’s chairman, past government reforms—including the deregulation of prices for non-essential medicines—have played a key role in restoring supply chains. While acknowledging that a few multinational companies have left the market, he emphasized that local manufacturers are stepping in with reliable alternatives.

Of the 80 drug brands claimed to be unavailable, only seven are currently out of stock—and even those have accessible local replacements. A few others face intermittent availability, but substitution options are in place. Regarding critical medicines like insulin and cancer therapies, the chairman clarified that these remain widely available, especially in refrigerated pharmacies and hospital settings.

He did note that vaccines continue to be a global challenge, not limited to Pakistan, and pledged collaboration with regulators and industry to bolster domestic vaccine production infrastructure.

The PPMA warned against exaggerated narratives that can cause unnecessary panic and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to essential treatments for patients nationwide.