ll pharmaceutical companies operating in the country are required to disburse 1% of their profit to the Central Research Fund (CRF) under the Drug Research Rules 1978.

rime Minister Imran Khan has reportedly taken notice of the unconsumed funds and is expected to notify a ‘Committee of Experts on Drug Research’ in the next few days to officially initiate the utilization of Rs. 3 billion for the R&I in the pharmaceutical sector.

Pharmaceutical companies in the country have always been criticized for lack of innovation. While they have been regularly contributing to the CRF, DRAP is responsible for the lack of innovation in the country’s pharmaceutical sector because it has been unable to launch any R&I initiatives in the sector since its inception.

Sources familiar with the development have claimed the ‘Committee of Experts on Drug Research’ will be tasked with R&I in the field of clinical trials, for the discovery of new molecules, and for the establishment of research and development (R&D) centers in the area of medicine.

Director Pharmacy Services DRAP would lead the committee as Chairperson. Other members of the committee would be Deputy Drug Controller Pharmacy Services DRAP, Chairman of Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC), one professor of pharmacy from each province, an expert of biotechnology, and a co-opted expert nominated by the committee’s chairman.

A senior official of the Federal Health Ministry, on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that former SAPM on Health, Dr. Zafar Mirza, initiated the process of constituting a committee to lead R&I efforts in the country soon after his appointment as SAPM in April 2019. However, vested interests impeded Dr. Zafar’s plans.

In July 2020, Dr. Zafar Mirza resigned as the SAPM on Health after the Federal Government published the details of the assets and dual nationalities of Advisors and Special Assistants to the Prime Minister.

Welcoming the development, Dr. Zafar Mirza expressed hope that the committee not only would utilize the funds for R&I but would also promote ethical marketing practices in the pharmaceutical sector of the country.

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Abdul Razak Dawood, the commerce and investment advisor, said that the government is focusing on increasing pharmaceutical exports through “tariff rationalisation, trade-related investment, institutional reforms, and easing of business regulations.”

He disclosed this while addressing the first Pharma Export Summit and Awards (PESA) event organized by Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA).

Dawood said that the government would introduce several tariff rationalization measures in the next annual budget, which would target both industrial and agricultural sectors.

He told attendees that Prime Minister Imran Khan will meet with PPMA leadership today and discuss additional measures to promote the pharmaceutical sector.

The Ministry of Commerce’s “Made-in-Pakistan” policy will also help promote local production and exports of pharmaceutical products in new international markets, Dawood added.

He disclosed this while addressing the first Pharma Export Summit and Awards (PESA) event organized by Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA).

Dawood said that the government would introduce several tariff rationalization measures in the next annual budget, which would target both industrial and agricultural sectors.

He told attendees that Prime Minister Imran Khan will meet with PPMA leadership today and discuss additional measures to promote the pharmaceutical sector.

The Ministry of Commerce’s “Made-in-Pakistan” policy will also help promote local production and exports of pharmaceutical products in new international markets, Dawood added.

Chairman PPMA, Tauqeer-ul-Haq, said that the pharmaceutical industry in 2020 was valued at around $3.2 billion, up from $1.64 billion in 2011.

“The industry can expand to $5 billion within next few years.” Haq said. Adding that the industry had already logged a 24 percent growth rate in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, having exported products worth over $68 million.

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Pakistan Pharmacist Association – PPA

https://pakistanpharmacistsassociation.pk

https://pakistanpharmacistsassociation.com

Sargodha Pakistan

Pharmaceutical Review (Staff Reporter). A successful meeting of executive council of Grand Pharmacist Alliance (GPA) held on February 15, 2021 in Sargodha Pakistan. The headship of GPA has established the Executive Body of Pakistan Pharmacist Association (PPA). The respected senior pharmacist Tahir Farooq Akber hosted the Oath Taking Ceremony. Being part of the executive body of Pakistan Pharmacist Association, the new president Dr. Taha Nazir vowed on behalf of the proposed body to serve humanity and to support the profession’s ideals and commitments. In taking this solemn oath / making this promise, they honor those who have supported their development as a pharmacist and commit themselves never to act in a manner that is contrary to these vows. The main responsibility of this executive body is to hold a free, fair and independent election to introduce a real representation of pharmacist community in Pakistan.