Islamabad:
In response to the suspension of trade ties with India, Pakistani health authorities have taken “emergency preparedness” measures to ensure the security of pharmaceutical supplies, as reported by Geo News on Saturday.
Following India’s decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty after the Pahalgam attack, Islamabad reciprocated by halting all trade with New Delhi.
The suspension of trade with India has prompted urgent actions to secure pharmaceutical needs in Pakistan, with health authorities implementing emergency measures to safeguard supplies, according to the report.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has stated that while there has been no official notification regarding the impact of the trade ban on the pharmaceutical sector, contingency plans are already in place.
A senior official from DRAP mentioned, “Following the 2019 crisis, we had started preparing for such contingencies. We are now actively exploring alternative sources to meet our pharmaceutical requirements.”
Pakistan currently depends on India for 30% to 40% of its pharmaceutical raw materials, including Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and various advanced therapeutic products.
To mitigate any potential disruptions in the supply chain, DRAP is in the process of seeking alternative sources from countries such as China, Russia, and various European nations.
The focus is on ensuring the continuous availability of essential medical supplies, including anti-rabies vaccines, anti-snake venom, cancer therapies, monoclonal antibodies, and other critical biological products.
While DRAP’s readiness provides some assurance, industry insiders and health experts have cautioned about the impending challenges if immediate steps are not taken to manage the consequences of the trade suspension.
A senior official from the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination expressed concerns about the potential shortages in critical pharmaceutical supplies due to the reliance on imports from India.
Despite the blanket announcement of trade suspension with India, the Ministry of Health is yet to receive an official directive clarifying the status of pharmaceutical imports.
The pharmaceutical sector fears that any disruption in the supply chain could lead to severe shortages.
The situation is further complicated by the presence of a thriving black market, where unregistered and unapproved medicines are smuggled into Pakistan through various channels.
A delegation of pharmaceutical industry leaders has appealed for an exemption from the trade ban to ensure the continuity of essential medical products.
However, some experts view the current crisis as an opportunity for Pakistan to invest in local production of APIs, vaccines, and biologicals to enhance self-sufficiency.
“This crisis could serve as a turning point for Pakistan,” noted a senior public health expert.
The recent attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, claimed by a proxy of a banned Pakistan-based group, has escalated tensions between the two nations.
(This article is published from a syndicated feed, and except for the headline, it has not been edited by NDTV staff.)
