Chemists Advocate for Diverse Pharmaceutical Material Sources

Following the cessation of trade relations with India, chemists and druggists are advocating for the identification of alternate suppliers of raw materials for pharmaceuticals.

The pharmaceutical sector in Pakistan conducted $305 million worth of trade with India in the previous year.

Druggists have suggested that vaccines, biological products, and medications for cancer treatment can now be sourced from nations such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and various European countries. They mentioned that while raw materials from India were more economical, their quality often lagged behind that of globally available alternatives.

Initiatives to diminish reliance on pharmaceutical imports from India have been in progress since the escalation of tensions in 2019.

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

Samad emphasized that Pakistan possesses the capability to thoroughly capitalize on international markets and is not exclusively reliant on supplies originating from India.