PPMA calls for urgent update of drug laws

LAHORE: The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has urged the government to revise existing drug laws to align them with recommendations from relevant stakeholders.

“There is an urgent need to update outdated drug laws in accordance with global best practices. This is in the best interest of both patients and the struggling pharmaceutical industry,” said former PPMA chairperson Mian Khalid Misbah-ur-Rehman during a discussion with journalists. He noted that multinational companies (MNCs) are rapidly exiting the country due to excessive and unjustified regulations.

“Currently, only four MNCs are actively investing in Pakistan. Patients are the ultimate sufferers, as the situation worsens daily. If immediate action is not taken, access to new therapies will become increasingly rare,” Misbah emphasized, advocating for timely government intervention to safeguard the pharmaceutical industry for the benefit of the nation and its health sector.

He pointed out that while the world has advanced, Pakistan remains tied to decades-old regulations. He praised the federal government’s decision to deregulate prices of non-essential drugs, stating that this will provide the much-needed support for the survival of the pharmaceutical industry and attract investment.

Misbah further asserted that to fully leverage the significant potential for earning foreign exchange through pharmaceutical exports, it is critical to create a conducive environment. “India’s drug exports exceed $28 billion annually, thanks to a supportive environment for foreign direct investment (FDI),” he said. He emphasized the necessity of aligning Pakistan’s pharmaceutical regulations with those of neighbouring countries and global best practices, aiming to transform Pakistan into an attractive investment market with a population of over 240 million, and generating pharmaceutical exports of $3 billion within a few years.

He urged the government to amend existing drug laws and ensure timely revisions of essential drug prices to improve the availability of medicines, attract FDI, and encourage MNCs to remain in Pakistan, thereby facilitating timely access to the latest therapies.