Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that a barcode system will be introduced on medicines in Pakistan within the next 60 days, adding that all preparations for the initiative have been completed.
During a visit to the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, the federal health minister said that a conference is scheduled to be held in Pakistan on July 17 and 18.
Addressing the event, Mustafa Kamal said that 150 local companies have registered for the conference. He added that efforts are being made to attract Chinese investment in the pharmaceutical sector. “Our priority from day one has been to move beyond MOUs and focus on actual agreements,” he said, adding that virtual meetings should begin before the conference.
He said Pakistan has plans in place and currently manufactures 85 percent of its medicines, but imports 99 percent of its raw materials, with China being a major supplier. He noted that importing raw materials remains a challenge and emphasized the need to produce raw materials locally to reduce the import bill.
Mustafa Kamal said that the Pak China Business to Business Conference would serve as an important milestone in this regard. He added that the government has approached the pharmaceutical industry ahead of the conference to inform it about its goals and plans so that the sector can actively participate in the process. More than 100 Chinese pharmaceutical companies are expected to attend the conference.
The federal minister said that barcodes will be introduced on medicines in Pakistan within 60 days and that all necessary preparations have been completed. He remarked that there is a public perception that a headache medicine imported from Dubai is more effective than a locally manufactured one. “This may not be correct, but it is a perception,” he said.
He further stated that the counterfeit medicine industry is a billion dollar industry worldwide.
