Latest news with #NationalHealthServicesandRegulations
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Local pharma industry: Govt urged to create conducive environment
ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has urged the government to create conducive environment for the local pharma industry so that it can enhance exports, create more jobs, and better serve the country. The pharma industry presented their demands to the Federal Minister for National Health Services and Regulations, Syed Mustafa Kamal, during a meeting here on Wednesday. Both the sides deliberated on key matters related to the pharmaceutical sector, including amendments in drug rules, indigenous production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and the expansion of export opportunities particularly in the context of bilateral collaboration with Afghanistan. During the meeting, the minister emphasised the government's commitment to fostering the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and reiterated the strategic importance of domestic API production. 'We must work jointly to ensure local production of APIs, not only to reduce reliance on imports and save valuable foreign exchange reserves, but also to unlock the export potential of our pharmaceutical products,' the minister stated. To advance this vision, the federal minister directed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to develop a comprehensive concept note on the establishment of a Naphtha Cracker facility. This initiative aims to promote self-sufficiency in the production of essential raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, the minister reaffirmed the government's resolve to eradicate the menace of counterfeit medicines from the market. 'We are introducing a modern trace and track system whereby a unique bar code will be printed on every medicine. This system will allow patients to verify the authenticity and retail price of any medicine using their mobile phones,' the minister added. The PPMA chairman highlighted that Pakistan's pharmaceutical exports currently stood over $450 million, but with government backing, this figure could cross $2 billion dollars within next two years. The minister acknowledged the immense potential for pharmaceutical exports, particularly in markets across South-West Asia and Central Asia. He encouraged the PPMA to submit a comprehensive proposal to enhance exports, assuring them that the ministry would provide the necessary support. The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding to strengthen public-private partnerships, streamline regulatory frameworks, and jointly pursue strategic initiatives to enhance pharmaceutical manufacturing, ensure medicine quality, and promote exports. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- General
- Business Recorder
Qatar urged to upgrade Pakistani surgeons
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has requested Qatar government to upgrade Pakistani surgeons from category three to category one enabling them to bypass appearing in tests. The request was formerly forwarded by the Federal Minister National Health Services and Regulations Syed Mustafa Kamal's recent visit to Qatar where he met with Qatar' s Health Minister Mansoor bin Ibrahim. The Qatari government assured the minister to seriously consider the request which is a longstanding demand of Pakistani doctors. Meanwhile, Kamal on Tuesday chaired a high level review meeting on polio eradication which was attended by key stakeholders, including the Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Special Secretary Health, Additional Secretary Health, the National Polio Coordinator, as well as representatives from WHO, UNICEF, and provincial health authorities. During the meeting, a comprehensive review of the recent nationwide polio vaccination drive was presented. Over 45 million children were successfully administered the polio vaccine drops. National and provincial coordinators shared detailed updates on the ongoing polio eradication efforts, highlighting progress as well as obstacles. Kamal emphasized that protecting children from polio is a collective national responsibility that requires urgent and sustained efforts from all segments of society. He urged parents to proactively seek out polio workers and ensure the immunization of their children, reminding that safeguarding children's health is a matter of accountability both in this life and the hereafter. The Minister highlighted that while cancer treatment is possible, polio remains an incurable disease, reinforcing the critical need to eliminate the virus through effective vaccination campaigns. He called for a significant policy shift to enhance campaign effectiveness and stressed the importance of unity and societal participation in this national mission. "Only two countries in the world still face the threat of polio," Mustafa Kamal stated, noting ongoing extensive campaigns in Afghanistan, effectively supported by the Taliban government. He expressed his hope for simultaneous polio-free status for both Pakistan and Afghanistan. He concluded by motivating the nation to overcome this challenge, stating, 'If we can defeat India as one nation, we can certainly defeat polio. If Palestine remains polio-free despite war, then what are we waiting for?' The Federal Health Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying polio eradication efforts to ensure a polio-free Pakistan in the near future. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
13-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
AJK: Health minister Kamal vows all-out cooperation
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services and Regulations Mustafa Kamal Monday has assured the people and the authorities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) of Pakistan's every possible cooperation to serve the masses especially with regard to health services. The minister, during his brief visit to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Kotli, said that in-line with the directives of the Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, he is visiting the AJK region to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir and to extend all out cooperation. The minister also condemned Indian aggression and highlighted the nation's unprecedented unity on the occasion. Kamal told the media that his visit comes in the light of special directives of the prime minister of Pakistan and the chief of army staff. He met with Deputy Commissioner of District Kotli Major Nasir Rafiq (retired) who warmly received the minister. Also present at the meeting was Brigade Commander Brigadier Samiullah. The minister visited the District Headquarters Hospital Kotli, where he inquired about the health of civilians injured due to unprovoked Indian shelling. Among the injured was a child whose brother was martyred in the attack. 'May God grant the bereaved family patience and strength,' he said. Minister Kamal assured that all victims would receive the best possible medical care, completely free of charge. 'The government stands shoulder to shoulder with its wounded citizens,' he emphasised. 'India, which dreamt of Pakistan's internal collapse, is now grappling with chaos within its own borders,' the minister stated. He criticised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, 'Modi believed he could become the 'Israel' of this region. Instead, his actions have only unified Pakistan.' Kamal acknowledged that the recent hostilities and provocations from India had led to a remarkable transformation within the Pakistani nation. 'Thank you, India — your aggression has brought us together,' he said. 'Pakistan today is entirely different from what it was 20 days ago. Our people stand shoulder to shoulder with their Armed Forces, like a wall of steel.' He emphasised that ethnic, linguistic, and sectarian differences had been set aside as the nation united to defend its sovereignty. 'Allah has granted us the strength to shatter the arrogance of our enemy,' Kamal added, noting that even the global community has recognised Pakistan's strength and resolve. Despite India's military and economic advantages both estimated to be eight times greater, Kamal stated that India had suffered a humiliating defeat, saying armed forces of Pakistan including Air Force, Navy, and land forces delivered a befitting response to the enemy. He urged the Pakistani nation to preserve this spirit of unity at all costs, stating that India did not target terrorists; they attacked children, women, and the elderly. Referring to victims of cross-border shelling, he said he himself has witnessed the screaming of a mother at DHQ Kotli who lost her child. Drawing a powerful comparison, he said, 'Even global superpowers have failed to break the spirit of children in Gaza. India cannot expect to break the will of 240 million Pakistanis.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
