Pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan
The pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan was estimated to be worth Rs. 748 billion (US$2.6 billion) in 2023, representing about 1% of the country's GDP.
Pakistan imports all specialized
History
At the time of the independence of Pakistan in 1947, there were few production units in the country. Currently Pakistan has more than 800 large volume pharmaceutical formulation units, including those operated by 25 multinationals present in the country. Almost all the raw materials used in making of medicine are sourced from abroad.[4] There are factors hindering growth such as the manufacturing of counterfeit drugs made from substandard active ingredients.
The Pakistan pharmaceutical industry meets around 90% of the country's demand of finished dosage forms and 4% of
In 2017, the World Health Organization accredited the first Pakistani drug formulated by Getz Pharma.[7]
Exodus of multinational companies (2000–present)
Over the past three decades, the presence of multinational pharmaceutical companies in Pakistan has significantly dwindled, decreasing to 22 from 48.[8] The decline is attributed to the challenging business environment, where supplying quality medicines at rates lower than production costs has become unsustainable.[8][3]
In April 2008,
From the UK, ICI also disinvested, selling its name and production licenses to a local entity, a move mirrored by
In November 2016, Merck Group divested its operations to a local company, Martin Dow.[13][14]
In November 2022, Eli Lilly Pakistan, known for producing
In May 2024, Pfizer sold its manufacturing plant in Karachi and pharmaceutical products to Lucky Core Industries.[16]
Companies
There are 759 pharmaceutical units[17] operated by around 650 companies.[18]
As of 2023, the 10 largest pharmaceutical companies accounted for 48% of the total market, while top 50 companies had a market share of 93%. The 10 largest companies include:[1]
- Getz Pharma
- GlaxoSmithKline Pakistan
- Sami Pharmaceuticals
- Abbott Laboratories Pakistan
- The Searle Company
- Martin Dow
- Hilton Pharma
- High-Q International
- Haleon Pakistan
- OBS Group
See also
Notes and references
- ^ a b c d e f "Pharmaceutical Industry" (PDF). icap.org.pk. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ a b Niazi, Sarfaraz K. (27 November 2023). "Corporate window: The need for vision in pharma". Dawn. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ a b Attarwala, Fatima S. (25 July 2022). "The ongoing pharma MNC exodus". DAWN.COM.
- ^ Junaidi, Ikram (17 July 2015). "No law to stop pharma companies from importing raw materials". DAWN.COM.
- ^ "The Express Tribune, 1 October 2014: Shahram Haq". 30 September 2014.
- ^ "Pakistan Observer, 4 October 2014". Archived from the original on 19 October 2014.
- ^ "WHO accredits first-ever Pak drug". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ a b c Junaidi, Ikram (11 November 2022). "Another pharma MNC calls it quits". DAWN.COM.
- ^ Subohi, Afshan (17 April 2008). "MSD winds up Pakistan operations". DAWN.COM.
- ^ a b c d Junaidi, Ikram (16 February 2015). "As govt and pharmaceutical giants fight over price, the sick suffer". DAWN.COM.
- ^ Khan, Aamir Shafaat (21 October 2008). "Bristol-Myers Squibb leaving". DAWN.COM.
- ^ https://www.pacra.com/summary_report/RR_2390_12010_01-Sep-23.pdf
- ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (8 November 2016). "Merck divests its Pakistan stake to Martin Dow". DAWN.COM.
- ^ "German pharma giant divests interests". The Express Tribune. 7 November 2016.
- ^ "OBS Pharma (Private) Limited" (PDF). VIS Credit Rating Company. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Lucky Core seals deal for Pfizer's Karachi plant, pharma products". Profit by Pakistan Today. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ https://www.icap.org.pk/paib/pdf/guidelines/PharmaIndustry.pdf [bare URL PDF]