Medicine stocks are sufficient to meet demand for next 5 to 6 months: Mustafa Kamal

ISLAMABAD: Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said on Tuesday that Pakistan had sufficient medicine stocks to meet demand for the next five to six months.

“Despite ongoing international challenges, the health ministry and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap), in close coordination with the pharmaceutical industry, have taken timely and effective measures to safeguard medicine supplies,” Kamal said, while chairing a meeting to review the availability of medicines and the national supply chain.

The health minister said that proactive steps ensured the uninterrupted availability of medicines across Pakistan.

“Pakistan currently holds sufficient medicine stocks to meet demand for the next five to six months,” he noted.

Kamal reassured the public that, despite the prevailing global situation due to the conflict in the Middle East, there would be no shortage of medicines.

“The health ministry and Drap are maintaining strict oversight to ensure continuous supply, while the government remains fully committed to providing uninterrupted access to essential healthcare services,” he stated.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries and Drap Chief Executive Officer Dr Obaidullah Malik.

The primary objective of the meeting was to assess and strengthen a comprehensive strategy to ensure the uninterrupted availability of medicines across the country under all circumstances.

Participants also conducted a detailed review of the availability of helium gas used in MRI machines, recognising its critical importance for diagnostic services nationwide.

PPMA says pharmaceutical industry absorbing additional costs

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) maintained that while energy and logistic costs were fluctuating rapidly, the industry was absorbing the shocks and was not passing on any additional burden on the people.

Speaking to Dawn, PPMA Chairman North Usman Shaukat said, “Even in the current rising economic cost environment, the pharmaceutical industry remains committed to providing quality medicines at affordable prices to the public.

“While energy and logistics costs are fluctuating rapidly during these times, the industry is absorbing the [economic] shocks and is not passing on any additional burden on the people.”

He affirmed that Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry would remain committed to providing life-saving and essential medicines to the market even in light of the current geopolitical crisis.

“The industry is maintaining ample raw materials and packaging inventory stocks to ensure an uninterrupted supply of medicines to the masses,” he stated.

Shaukat said the health ministry and Drap were also working closely to ensure supply chains were not hampered.

“We appreciate the government’s proactive approach to ensure the availability of medicines for the masses,” he added.

Last month, Drap had also dismissed reports of price hikes in essential medicines across the country, stating that the rates have not “undergone any upward revision”.

The regulatory body stated that medicine supply in Pakistan remained “unaffected” by the conflict in the Middle East and subsequent sea route disruptions, as 85pc of medicines consumed in the country were “manufactured locally”.