Pakistan Pharmaceutical Industry Pakistan has a very vibrant and forward looking Pharma Industry.

At the time of independence in 1947, there was hardly any pharma industry in the country. Today Pakistan has about 400 pharmaceutical manufacturing units including those operated by 25 multinationals present in the country. The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Industry meets around 70% of the country's demand of Finished Medicine. The domestic pharma market, in term of share market is almost evenly divided between the Nationals and the Multinationals. The National pharma industry has shown a progressive growth over the years, particularly over the last one decade. The industry has invested substantially to upgrade itself in the last few years and today the majority industry is following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), in accordance with the domestic as well as international Guidance. Currently the industry has the capacity to manufacture a variety of product ranging from simple pills to sophisticated Biotech, Oncology and Value Added Generic compounds. Although Pakistan 's pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors are expanding and evolving rapidly, about half the population has no access to modern medicines. Clearly this presents an opportunity, but much more work needs to be done by the government and industry's stakeholders. The value of pharmaceuticals sold in 2007 exceeded US$1.4bn, which equates to per capita consumption of less than US$ 10 per year and value of medicines sold is expected to exceed US$2.3 B by 2012.

Pakistan is a developing pharmaceutical market, with a large population and economic progress evident, but per capita drug spending was rather low at around US$9.30 in 2007. Private spending accounts for 65% of total healthcare expenditure sourced through out-of pocket payments, international aid and religious or charitable institutions. Pharmaceutical spending accounts for less than 1% of the country's GDP, comparable to levels in some neighboring countries but above that in some of the South Asian countries. The forecast period is likely to witness the marginal strengthening of the generics sector, albeit more in terms of volumes than values. The share of generics is also likely to increase further as major drugs come off-patent in the near term, to the likely benefit of the generics-dominated local industry. The Pakistan pharma industry is relatively young in the international markets with an export turnover of over US$ 100 Million as of 2007. Pakistan Pharma Industry boasts of quality producers and many units are approved by regulatory authorities all over the world. Like domestic market the sales in international market have gone almost double during last five years. The pharma industry is focusing to an Export Vision of USD 500 Million by 2013. In the meantime, exports are also likely to be boosted by new regional and global opportunities. The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Industry is a success story, providing high quality essential drugs at affordable prices to Millions. Technologically, strong and self reliant National Pharmaceutical Industry is not only playing a key role in promoting and sustaining development in the vital field of medicine within the country, but is also well set to take on the international markets.

Eligibility For Membership A sole proprietorship firm or any other company or a business concern shall be eligible for membership of the Association, provided that it is carrying on business as Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers, and fulfill the criteria as provided in Rule 11 (a to e) of Trade Rules. (i). Every application for the membership of the association shall be made on a form prescribed by the Association and submitted by the Applicant to the Secretary General together with the first years Membership Fee subscription and the admission fee. (ii). Every individual business concern firm or joint stock company desirous of becoming a member of the Association shall submit to the Secretary General, membership application form. The application so received shall be placed before the next meeting of or circulated amongst the Executive Committee which may accept or reject the same for the reasons specified in the rejection order. (iii). in case of rejection, no further application shall be entertained for a period of one year reckoned from the date of such rejection and the fees paid by the Applicant shall be refunded. The applicant shall, however, have the right to approach the Director General, whose decision in this regard shall be final and binding.

PPMA Celebrates 60 Years of Pakistan Pharma Industry

Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association held a gathering to celebrate 60 years of Pharmaceutical Industry in Pakistan on August 28, 2008 at Lahore. Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani was the Chief Guest. The event was attended by Provincial ministers, Parliamentary Secretary of Health, industry entrepreneurs, professionals, officials of the Ministry of Health, other government officials and other prominent persons. PPMA Chairman Mr. Kashif Sajjad Sheikh in his address highlighted the industry achievements over the past years. He apprised the audience that starting from a virtual zero at the time of inception of Pakistan, the Pharmaceutical Industry is now worth more than 100 billion rupees. He said that the people of Pakistan have greater access to quality medicines at affordable prices because of the development of national industry. He pointed out that the national Pharma industry has always risen to the occasion whenever any calamity hit the country. Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers have also been exporting to South Asia, Central Asia, South East Asia, and Africa. Mr. Kashif Sajjad Sheikh also pointed out the various difficulties faced by the industry. He said Government needs to develop a consistent and rational drug Pricing Policy. He also mentioned that manifold increase in the cost of raw and packaging materials, increase in freight due to oil price increase, increase in wages, and increase in the price of utilities like electricity and gas which have created extreme difficulties for the price regulated pharmaceutical industry. Chairman PPMA stressed the need for having a rational and transparent pricing policy and an immediate grant of price increase to bring the industry out of crisis.

Speaking on the occasion the chief guest Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Prime Minister of Pakistan, appreciated the contribution of pharma industry towards the improvement of healthcare system and the economy of Pakistan by providing high quality medicines at affordable prices. He also appreciated the role of industry during the times of immense hardships by providing free drugs to the affected population. The Prime Minister said that his government is committed to improve the healthcare situation in the country and we expect the same level of commitment from all components of health system including pharma industry. He also announced that the government will look into all the policies governing the pharmaceutical industry and create a joint commission with Ministry of Health to implement Pharma Vision 2020.

Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Association The Pharmaceutical Industry is a human Industry an industry which caters to the health of public and is therefore of significant importance. As such, the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Association came into existence on January 26, 1961 and the Government of Pakistan through the Ministry of Commerce registered PPMA as the only Representative body of the Pharmaceutical Industry in the Country. The Government issued a Licence to this effect under Section 26 of the Companies Act, 1913 on July 18, 1961 . The Association was formally incorporated under the Companies Act, 1913 by the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies. At the time of establishment of PPMA there were only ten members throughout the country who are the founder members of the PPMA and it was through their efforts that this Association came into being. Now, today the Membership of the Association is 210 (Approximately), who possess the licence for manufacturing drugs granted by the Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan against a total number of 350 units approximately. We are proud of the hi-tech, essential and high quality National Pharmaceutical Industry which has significance for the country in term of self-reliance to a great extent. The Pharmaceutical industry Comprises around 400 manufacturing units including over 350 national or Pakistani owned and licensed manufacturing unites and 25 licensed International subsidiaries of well known worldwide based Pharmaceutical Corporations. However, we treat all such units as our national because all the people who work in this industry are all Pakistanis.

PPMA feels strongly about the fact that all its members possess all requisite facilities necessary for the production of pharmaceuticals of quality and should comply with CGMP standards. PMA has its head office located at KARACHI with two Regional office, viz. Punjab & NWFP Regional Office at Lahore and Sindh & Balochistan Regional Office at Karachi .