Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan

Around 40 life-saving medicines registered in Pakistan remain unavailable to patients due to delayed federal price approvals, forcing reliance on smuggled or unregistered drugs for conditions like cancer, diabetes, and haemophilia. The medicines, including Keytruda and Adalimumab, have completed regulatory processes but await price notifications since December 2024.

The Pakistan Paediatric Association (PPA) has urged the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) to exempt 10cc conventional syringes from an upcoming ban, citing their critical role in neonatal and pediatric care. Drap plans to ban 10cc syringes from retail sale starting January 1, 2027, as part of efforts to curb HIV transmission linked to unsafe medical practices, but PPA warns the ban could disrupt essential medical procedures.

Pakistan and China finalized $850 million in agreements during a pharmaceutical conference, including 16 contracts and 80 MoUs, with 18 deals focused on herbal medicines. The agreements aim to boost local production of health equipment, raw materials, and vaccines, reducing imports and foreign exchange costs.

A delay in approving price revisions for 105 essential medicines in Pakistan has led to shortages and increased risks of counterfeit drugs. Manufacturers cite rising production costs and financial unsustainability, while experts warn of supply chain integrity threats as illegal suppliers fill the gap.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered a ban on substandard syringes to prevent infectious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C. He directed the formation of a special committee, legal framework amendments, and collaboration with international partners to address the issue. Past HIV outbreaks in hospitals, including in Karachi and Punjab, highlighted the urgency of these measures.