ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is targeting more than 100 additional international markets for its pharmaceutical products as the government moves to secure World Health Organisation (WHO) Maturity Level-3 accreditation, the Senate was informed on Tuesday.
Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal said Pakistan was currently accredited at WHO Maturity Level-2 and exporting pharmaceutical products to 52 countries.
Responding to a Calling Attention Notice moved by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, the minister said the country’s efforts to attain Maturity Level-3 would significantly broaden opportunities for Pakistani medicines in international markets.
He said Pakistan was working to open more than 100 new markets for its pharmaceutical exports, with higher regulatory recognition expected to strengthen the country’s position in the global pharmaceutical sector.
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The minister highlighted the importance of WHO accreditation in facilitating international market access and improving the acceptability of locally manufactured medicines abroad.
Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry has increasingly sought to expand its export footprint by improving regulatory standards, strengthening manufacturing capabilities and meeting international quality requirements.
Achieving WHO Maturity Level-3 would mark a further step in this process and could provide Pakistani pharmaceutical manufacturers with greater opportunities to enter regulated overseas markets.
The government’s focus on expanding pharmaceutical exports also comes as Pakistan seeks to diversify its export base and increase the contribution of value-added sectors to the national economy.
