Dateline Report
ISLAMABAD: On the occasion of World Pharmacist Day, the Young Pharmacists of Pakistan have unveiled an ambitious vision to bolster the nation’s healthcare system and pharmaceutical industry. Facing numerous challenges, including environmental issues, agricultural crises, and the scarcity of food and medicine, Pakistan is at a pivotal juncture. Rising imports, dwindling exports, and soaring prices have intensified the need for collective action.
The Young Pharmacists have risen to the occasion, expressing unwavering commitment to strengthen Pakistan. Their mission extends beyond the enhancement of healthcare facilities; they aim to become a cornerstone of the local and global pharmaceutical sector by producing high-quality medicines at affordable prices within Pakistan.
One of Pakistan’s most pressing issues is unemployment, and the Young Pharmacists propose a novel solution: entrepreneurship. Drawing inspiration from India’s success in nurturing small pharmaceutical manufacturing units, many of which have grown into substantial enterprises, Pakistan aims to take a similar path. However, the country has been slow to embrace healthy competition, resulting in a lack of direction within the pharmaceutical industry.
The Young Pharmacists advocate for granting licenses to experienced pharmacists, akin to doctors with one year of experience, to establish pharmaceutical manufacturing units. These units should start small, focusing on mineral and compound extraction and the production of medicinal raw materials. Over time, they can expand into medium and large-scale factories, with the goal of obtaining FDA and EU approvals within five years.
The Young Pharmacists have set ambitious targets. Within five years, they aspire to manufacture 95% of medicine raw materials of the highest quality at competitive prices. Their plan includes halting the import of finished medicines in Pakistan and exporting medicines globally, with an expected revenue of $25 billion. They also intend to revitalize surgical goods manufacturing and export surgical products worth $25 billion within a decade.
Youth passion is at the heart of this industrial transformation. Pakistan has a wealth of talented pharmacists, but many seek opportunities abroad. By developing half a million small pharmaceutical manufacturing units, the Young Pharmacists aim to create jobs for ten million people in manufacturing and the vendor industry, in addition to 20 million jobs in sales and marketing. The retail pharmacy sector is expected to undergo a significant overhaul, with every pharmacy supervised by a pharmacist and a full-time assistant-pharmacist.
This bold initiative not only promises to improve pharmacist employment but also offers opportunities to highly skilled professionals from various fields, potentially eradicating unemployment in Pakistan for the next 50 years. The ultimate goal is to ensure that every Pakistani has access to affordable, high-quality medicine.
The Pakistan Young Pharmacist Association is taking the lead in fostering collaboration with all sectors of the nation, from the government to academia, to pave the way for a healthier and more prosperous Pakistan, both today and in the future.