Stronger healthcare needs united effort: National workshop

Without quality in every dose, a doctor’s efforts fall short,” Say pharma stakeholders in Karachi

IV Report

KARACHI: Speakers at a national workshop on May 24 underscored the urgent need for unified efforts among pharmaceutical manufacturers, regulatory authorities, and the scientific community to ensure a more vibrant and effective medical supply system in Pakistan.

The one-day workshop, held at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, was jointly organised by the Dr Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMMDR) and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). The event drew participation from government officials, regulators, industry leaders, and academia.

In his address, Tauqeer Ul Haq, Chairman of the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), highlighted the local industry’s robust footprint, stating that more than 700 medicine manufacturing companies were responsible for producing 90 percent of the country’s drug supply. “The national industry holds a 70 per cent share of the domestic market,” he added, pointing to the sector’s significant contribution.

Rehan Iqbal Baloch, Secretary of the Sindh Health Department, acknowledged the persistent demand for essential medicines and urged the pharmaceutical industry to focus on producing these vital drugs for the broader population. He expressed the Sindh government’s willingness to support collaboration between the pharma sector and academic institutions to enhance healthcare product standards.

Prof Dr Muhammad Raza Shah, Director of ICCBS and UNESCO Chair holder, emphasised the role of science and technology in national development. “This workshop serves as a critical platform for regulators, industry leaders, and academics to devise collaborative strategies that ensure the safety, efficacy, and innovation of healthcare products,” he noted.

Addressing the inaugural session titled “The Role of Regulators, Pharma Industry, and Academia in Promoting Quality Healthcare Products”, Prof Atta-ur Rahman, Professor Emeritus and former Federal Minister for Science and Technology, called for the creation of a unified platform integrating manufacturers, exporters, policymakers, and researchers to explore opportunities and tackle challenges in the healthcare sector.

In her welcome address, Nadira Panjwani, Chairperson of the Panjwani Trust—founding body of PCMMDR—praised the participants and underlined the critical importance of ensuring access to quality medicines for the nation’s population.

Reflecting on the evolution of medicine, Ms Panjwani described it as a journey “from superstition, spiritual belief, guesswork, and discovery to rigorous research and evidence-based findings.” She highlighted global efforts for harmonising regulatory standards, led by the World Health Organisation and embraced by national and international drug regulatory bodies.

“A doctor may chart the path to healing, but it is the medicine that carries a patient forward. Without quality in every dose, a doctor’s efforts will fall short,” she remarked.

She concluded with the hope that the workshop would strengthen the coordinated role of the three essential pillars of healthcare—regulators, the pharmaceutical industry, and academia—with the latter acting as the engine of discovery.

Photos courtesy: PCMMDR

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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