Pakistan’s pharmaceutical manufacturers have welcomed recent amendments to the drug law endorsed by the Special Investment Facilitation Council these changes focus on the liability of directors in pharma companies which industry leaders say will strengthen accountability for regulatory compliance At the same time these changes follow strong growth in medicine exports up 34 percent since deregulation policy implementation

During a meeting with government officials PPMA leadership thanked SIFC for backing the reforms but also warned of growing unease over a third-party survey ordered by the Drug Regulatory Authority which reportedly excluded the input of many industry stakeholders The survey was commissioned on the advice of the Prime Minister but manufacturers fear the lack of consultation may lead to unclear standards or corrective actions that do not reflect ground realities

SAPM Haroon Akhtar voiced support for deregulation policies emphasizing they have restored medicine supply to pharmacies and eased shortages These policies are seen by the industry as essential for maintaining affordability and promoting growth in the domestic and export markets

PPMA has submitted recommendations for expanding exports to countries such as Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan and is working closely with banking and trade officials to open easier financial channels for transactions Industry representatives believe these expansions could drive further economic returns while strengthening Pakistan’s position in regional pharmaceutical commerce

While the amendments are being praised as a major step forward critics say alertness is required to ensure continued oversight prevent price spikes and preserve medicine access especially for essential drugs Without stakeholder inclusion in policymaking the regulatory framework may drift away from protecting patient safety and equitable access