Establishment of health city being planned in Islamabad: officials

ISLAMABAD: The establishment of a health city in Islamabad is under consideration which would comprise a state-of-the-art hospital, diagnostic labs, a medical tower, a centre for medical tourism, and a special pharmaceutical economic zone, officials revealed on Tuesday.

“The establishment of a pharmaceutical economic zone within the health city would enhance indigenous pharmaceutical production, promote sustainable practices, and attract foreign investment by offering a conducive business environment”, Federal Secretary Health Iftikhar Ali Shallwani told the inaugural meeting of the Technical Working Group on Pharma Sector Enhancement.

The Technical Working Group (TAG) has been established to address the current challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector and to develop immediate and long-term solutions to bolster investment and exports in the industry. The TAG meeting, attended by key stakeholders including representatives from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), National Institute of Health (NIH), Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and Board of Investment (BOI), focused on listening to the concerns raised by the pharmaceutical industry and providing necessary support from the ministry.

Federal Secretary Health Iftikhar Ali Shallwani highlighted the significant progress made under the ministry’s leadership, particularly in achieving deregulation milestones. He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to establishing a Health City in Islamabad within a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem. “This would enhance indigenous pharmaceutical production, promote sustainable practices, and attract foreign investment by offering a conducive business environment”, he informed.

Recognizing the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector as vital to the economy, Secretary Health Shallwani emphasized the need for a competitive market and ease of doing business. He encouraged potential investors to invest in the sector to diversify and lower drug prices, thus breaking monopolies. He advocated for providing incentives to the pharmaceutical sector and solicited proposals from industry representatives to streamline pricing and price control mechanisms for essential and non-essential drugs.

He stressed the importance of adhering to international standards to improve the export prospects of Pakistani pharmaceutical products and underscored the Ministry’s commitment to taking stringent measures against counterfeit drugs and those endangering public health.