Chemists Advocate for Diversification of Pharmaceutical Raw Material Sources

Following the cessation of trade relations with India, Chemists and Druggists are advocating for the identification of alternative supply chains for pharmaceutical raw materials.

Last year, the pharmaceutical sector in Pakistan engaged in commerce with India totaling $305 million.

Drug specialists suggest that vaccines, biological agents, and oncology medications can now be sourced from nations such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and various European countries. They pointed out that while raw materials originating from India were more economical, their quality often lagged behind that of globally available alternatives.

Since tensions arose with India in 2019, initiatives have been implemented to lessen the reliance on pharmaceutical imports from India.

The Chairman of the Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association (PCDA) has implored the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to expedite the approval process for superior-quality medications from these novel sources to adequately fulfill domestic needs.

Mr. Samad asserted that Pakistan possesses the capacity to optimally utilize international markets and is not exclusively reliant on Indian provisions.