Dr. Noor Muhammad Shah, Director Licensing and Chairman of the Central Licensing Board at the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, led a focused session at the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry to encourage basic and semi-basic pharma manufacturing. The meeting emphasized development of local production for active pharmaceutical ingredients, excipients, extracts and primary packaging materials to strengthen supply chains and reduce import reliance.
Usman Shaukat, President of RCCI, and Fahad Barlas, Vice President, provided a platform for frank discussion on capabilities, challenges and opportunities facing domestic producers. Stakeholders explored how targeted support and clearer regulatory pathways can attract investment into local facilities and modernise production of essential raw materials.
DRAP outlined concrete measures to facilitate indigenous manufacturing and technology transfer, streamline licensing and regulatory processes to encourage investment, and expand cooperation with industry and chambers for sustainable growth. Officials emphasised that a coordinated approach between the regulator and private sector is key to accelerating pharma manufacturing while maintaining quality and compliance.
Industry representatives engaged in the consultative session welcomed DRAP’s outreach and said such collaboration could make Pakistan’s supply of APIs and excipients more resilient and self-reliant. The gathering signalled momentum toward a more innovative and locally anchored pharmaceutical sector, with regulatory facilitation and technology transfer positioned as central drivers for longer-term growth.
