Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, chaired a pivotal high-level meeting in Islamabad focused on securing insulin imports from Russia and establishing a Pakistan‑Russia pharmaceutical joint venture to support local manufacturing.

Key officials from the Ministry of Industries and Production, the Ministry of National Health Services, and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) attended, along with a Russian government representative, Denis Nazarov. The agenda included updating progress on insulin import protocols, pharmaceutical cooperation, and regulatory alignment.

DRAP has already granted registration to Genetics Pharmaceuticals, Lahore, for importing insulin from Russia’s Zavod Medsintez, marking a major step toward a consistent supply for diabetic patients. The joint venture is seen as a milestone in bilateral healthcare cooperation and aligns with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision for reducing import dependency.

During the meeting, Haroon Akhtar Khan directed stakeholders to finalize a comprehensive proposal, which will be presented to the Federal Cabinet. The joint protocol between Pakistani and Russian firms is in the final drafting stage.

This strategic collaboration aims to provide a steady, affordable insulin supply and initiate local manufacturing in Pakistan, reducing reliance on external producers and improving accessibility for patients nationwide.