Kamal highlights breakthroughs in pharma & vaccine policy to drive future growth

ISLAMABAD, Apr 30 (APP):Federal Minister for National Health, Syed Mustafa Kamal, on Thursday highlighted two major breakthroughs in Pakistan’s health sector, saying they would boost the global reach of the country’s pharmaceutical industry while driving future growth.

Speaking at a press conference, he said the World Health Organization (WHO) pre-qualification of the Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) in Karachi, that is working under the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), would significantly enhance pharmaceutical exports and ease regulatory barriers for Pakistani medicines abroad.

He said the certification would reduce documentation process and simplify export procedures, enabling local manufacturers to better access international markets.

“This achievement has moved Pakistan closer to attaining WHO Maturity Level 3 status,” he said, adding that the country is currently at Level 2 and is expected to reach Level 3 within six to eight months.

Kamal noted that Pakistan currently exports medicines to around 51 countries, a figure that could rise to 150 once Level 3 status is achieved.

He maintained that while Pakistan has strong production capacity, expertise, and quality in pharmaceuticals, the lack of international certification had been a key obstacle, which is now being addressed.

Referring to the second development, the minister said the federal cabinet has approved the National Vaccine Policy, paving the way for local vaccine production for the first time in the country’s history.

He said the policy would not only strengthen domestic manufacturing but also attract foreign investment, adding that the absence of a formal vaccine framework had long been a gap in the health sector.

Kamal described both initiatives as potential game changers that would strengthen Pakistan’s healthcare system and enhance its standing at global.