Pakistani pharmaceutical companies are urging the government to provide a sovereign buyback guarantee before committing to large-scale vaccine production. They stress that without this assurance, they cannot justify the significant capital required for manufacturing.

One Lahore-based company has already set up a vaccine facility capable of producing three times the national demand. However, executives say that without a guaranteed government purchase, the plant remains idle. They argue that buyback support is essential to meet global standards, secure quality control, and manage pricing—all while unlocking export potential and foreign exchange earnings.

This demand aligns with global best practices in the vaccine sector. Nations like Indonesia and India have successfully employed government-backed agreements to foster domestic production. Local experts emphasize that vaccines differ from regular commodities—government procurement and pricing stability are crucial.

Currently, Pakistan relies on imported vaccines through international donors like GAVI and COVAX. Experts warn that as these programs phase out by 2031, local production must scale up. Pharmaceutical leaders highlight the urgency for Pakistan to build a strategic domestic vaccine industry, ensuring health security and reducing import dependency.

In response, the government is exploring the establishment of a Special Technology Zone and enhancing regulatory support through DRAP and academic partnerships. Still, officials say they must resolve quality control standards and fair pricing mechanisms before offering any buyback guarantees.

The outcome of this policy debate will determine whether Pakistan can move from merely filling the vaccine pipeline to becoming a self-reliant producer, securing both public health and economic gains.