Research by Tazeen Azeem

The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Industry meets

around 70% of the country's Demand

The Pharmaceutical Industry in Pakistan has grown

during the last few decades, almost entirely in the

formulations space. At the time of the independence in

1947, there were few production units in the country.

Currently Pakistan has about 400 low technology, large

volume, pharmaceutical formulation units mainly running

on Chinese equipment, including those operated by 25

multinationals present in the country. The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Industry meets around 70%

of the country's demand of finished dosage forms and 4% of active ingredients. Specialized

finished dosage forms such as soft gelatin capsules, parenteral fat emulsions and metered dose

inhalers continue to be imported. There are only a few bulk drug active ingredient producers and

Pakistan mainly depends on imports of bulk drugs for it's formulation needs resulting in frequent

drug shortages. Political disturbances and allegations of under-invoicing add to the uncertainty of

imports and clashes with the customs and tax authorities are common.

The Pakistan Pharma Industry is one of the still developing sectors within the country's fragile

economy. The value of pharmaceuticals sold nationwide exceeded US$1.4 B in 2007 and US$2.3

B in 2012. The value of medicines sold is expected to exceed US$3.2 B by 2014.As of 2013, the

total export value of Pakistani-manufactured medicines around the world stood at $500

million.Many different companies sell a diverse range of drugs and pharmaceutical products.

PAKISTAN PHARMACEUTICALS & HEALTHCARE REPORT 2014

Pakistan remains one of the least attractive markets in the Asia Pacific region to pharmaceutical

and healthcare investment. The lack of government support for pharmaceutical research and

development, and an ineffective regulatory regime, will continue to deter multinational firms

over the long term. Note that, with the non-communicable disease burden - particularly that of

diabetes - set to rise, considerable investment in healthcare will be required to bring

standards in line with the rest of the region.