Pakistan targets $30b boost in exports of medical devices'

Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has announced that Pakistan aims to increase its export of medical devices and pharmaceuticals to $30 billion within the next five years. To facilitate this goal, he said, an online regulatory system for medical devices has been introduced, enabling companies to obtain licenses within just 20 days, he said addressing a seminar titled "Made in Karachi: Medical Devices", organised at a private university on Saturday.

Further, Kamal revealed that Pakistan's current exports of medicines and medical devices are less than $1 billion, and that the Medical Devices Association aims to increase that by $3 billion in the coming years. Kamal, however, stated that the government, in collaboration with the industry, is determined to elevate the sector to $30 billion within five years. Highlighting Karachi's role, Kamal said the city contributes to 68 per cent of Pakistan's revenue, but noted that maintaining high product standards is essential. "If quality isn't up to global standards, the world won't use our devices. Maintain excellence, and progress will follow naturally," he said.

The minister recalled that in the past, the regulation of a single medical device would take between one and three and a half years, and that too not without bribes. "CEOs had to travel to Islamabad to submit applications, where files often went missing. Now, the system has changed, you can submit an application online in ten minutes and receive your license in twenty days."

Ziauddin University Vice Chancellor Dr Abbas Zafar said that Karachi not only powers Pakistan's economy but also leads in innovation and progress. He noted that most medical devices used in local hospitals are imported, but if produced locally, would be more affordable, leading to self-reliance in this vital sector.