New drug laws irk pharma traders
Pakistan’s pharmaceutical (finished medicine) market size is estimated at about Rs500 billion and is growing by around 10% per annum. photo: file
Traders associated with the pharmaceutical and export sector expressed concern over proposed changes in the drugs law, collection of professional tax, unnecessary actions by departments concerned and delays in resolution of other long-standing issues and demands.
They urged the government to frame business-friendly policies to give a boost to businesses and exports while speaking at a meeting chaired by President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Hasnain Khurshid Ahmad on Monday.
The meeting thoroughly discussed matters pertaining to changes in drugs rules, restrictions on relevant examinations for the chemists, hurdles in exports, especially delay in visas to exporters, collection of professional tax in Dabgari Garden Market Peshawar, re-auctioning of Auqaf plaza, lack of parking facility and other issues.
Speaking on the occasion, Khurshid said the traders’ community had played a vital role in the economic development of the country. Therefore, he urged the government to take pragmatic steps to facilitate taxpayers and avoid unnecessary actions to intact their dignity.
He was of the view that SCCI was solely a forum of the business community, which had always made vigorous efforts to resolve the community’s issues and assured the participants that the chamber would continue its selfless services and take up traders’ community issues with relevant federal and provincial government authorities in an efficient manner.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2022.