Pakistan’s Pharma Industry Embraces AI to Revolutionize Healthcare

Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector is accelerating its adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform healthcare delivery, drug discovery, and diagnostics. The move was announced during a workshop ahead of the 8th PPMA Pharma Summit titled “The Future of Pharma: AI Integration for Enhanced Drug Discovery and Personalised Medicine.”

AI’s Promise: Disease Elimination Within a Decade

Jim Harris, a global expert on AI and disruptive innovation, cited Nobel laureate Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind, stating that “all major diseases could be eliminated within 10 years” through AI-powered breakthroughs. DeepMind’s AlphaFold model, for instance, has revolutionized protein mapping—reducing a five-year task to mere seconds.

Breakthroughs in Cancer Detection and Imaging

Harris highlighted innovations like the PillCam—a swallowable capsule with cameras and Wi-Fi transmitters—that uses AI to detect precancerous polyps in the gastrointestinal tract. AI is also being used to analyze blood tests for early cancer diagnosis and reduce patient wait times through telemedicine platforms.

Pakistan’s Pharma Firms Already Integrating AI

Several domestic companies have begun deploying AI tools to improve drug development, monitor adverse reactions, and connect with patients via chatbots like DiBot. Some have launched direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce platforms to streamline access to medicines.

Challenges: Data Infrastructure and Self-Medication Risks

Despite the enthusiasm, experts warned that Pakistan lacks a unified national health database—limiting AI’s full potential. They also cautioned against rising self-medication trends, noting that AI tools must be used responsibly to avoid misuse of drugs.

PPMA’s Vision for AI-Driven Excellence

PPMA Chairman Tauqeer Ul Haq expressed optimism, stating that AI would enhance productivity, marketing, and pharmaceutical exports. Workshop participants echoed this sentiment, calling AI the most powerful tool humanity has ever created.