Shahid Mehmood explains the crisis in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry created by Government regulations
Let me ask you a simple question: how many times has it happened that you go to a chemist and ask for a medicine, and the reply you get is that it is not available? Chances are that you have experienced this quiet a few times. That’s because even ordinary, inexpensive, lifesaving medicines tend to disappear off the shelves. And this happens every year. In other words, Pakistan experiences persistent medicine shortages.
Now here’s the perplexing part: there are more than 700 drug production units all over Pakistan, and more than 70,000 drugs are officially registered for production. Of these, hardly 10,000 are being produced, and even these experience supply shortages. All this, in the end, endangers the lives of those who need medicines for survival. Let us examine the root causes behind this worrying situation.
Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry was once a very vibrant industry. In the 1990s, more than 40 international pharmaceutical firms of repute (multinationals) were operating in Pakistan, producing not only quality medicine but also contributing towards setting standards and providing employment opportunities. These years also saw the tremendous growth of domestic pharma firms. A study by McKinsey concluded that Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry could be a ‘sunshine’ industry, meaning that it had tremendous future potential. By now, all those predictions have bitten dust. There are only a handful of multinationals operating in Pakistan, while others have wound up their businesses and left for greener pastures. Domestic manufacturers are also facing difficulties in their operations.
Let me ask you a simple question: how many times has it happened that you go to a chemist and ask for a medicine, and the reply you get is that it is not available? Chances are that you have experienced this quiet a few times. That’s because even ordinary, inexpensive, lifesaving medicines tend to disappear off the shelves. And this happens every year. In other words, Pakistan experiences persistent medicine shortages.
Now here’s the perplexing part: there are more than 700 drug production units all over Pakistan, and more than 70,000 drugs are officially registered for production. Of these, hardly 10,000 are being produced, and even these experience supply shortages. All this, in the end, endangers the lives of those who need medicines for survival. Let us examine the root causes behind this worrying situation.
Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry was once a very vibrant industry. In the 1990s, more than 40 international pharmaceutical firms of repute (multinationals) were operating in Pakistan, producing not only quality medicine but also contributing towards setting standards and providing employment opportunities. These years also saw the tremendous growth of domestic pharma firms. A study by McKinsey concluded that Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry could be a ‘sunshine’ industry, meaning that it had tremendous future potential. By now, all those predictions have bitten dust. There are only a handful of multinationals operating in Pakistan, while others have wound up their businesses and left for greener pastures. Domestic manufacturers are also facing difficulties in their operations.
"The main responsibility for this dismal state of affairs falls upon the government, especially the way it regulates the pharma industry"
