Multinational pharmaceutical companies have 53 percent share in Pakistan's pharmaceutical market while national companies are contended with 45 percent share, however, the estimated market growth rate is 19 percent. Joint Secretary Ministry of National Regulations and Services, Arshad Farooq Faheem informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Regulations and Services, on Friday.
He said there are 600 licensed pharmaceutical companies in the country, including multinational companies while registered medicine importers are around 100. Semi-basic manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients are three, however, basic manufacturer of biological instruments is one. He said volume of local market is Rs 178.7 billion while export share of the market is $168 million.
The committee, which met with Muhammad Usman Advocate in the chair, discussed functioning of pharmaceutical sector. The committee was also briefed on the working of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). About the establishment of Drug Regulatory Agency of Pakistan (DRAP), Arshad Farooq Faheem said the DRAP is under administrative control of the federal government with headquarter in Islamabad, however, the sub-offices and drug testing laboratories are in the provinces.
The DRAP was established through an ordinance, he added. Under Drug Act 1976, regulatory functions are delegated back to the federal government by the provincial assemblies under article 144, he maintained. Minister for National Regulations and Services, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan told the committee that the ministry has directed the multinational pharmaceutical company engaged in the manufacturing of 'Peg-interferon' injection used for hepatitis treatment , to reduce the price of injection from Rs 13000 to Rs 6500 by removing the offer of 'buy one get one free'. Drugs Manufacturers have installed factories in the country to earn profit not for charity purposes, adding that there are two kinds of medicines available in the country:
1-manufactured by multinational companies on the basis of their own research formula, as the companies have established research centers.
2-medicines manufacture by national companies on the basis of multinational companies formula, as they have no facility to conduct research. The committee members, while expressing concern on rising number of fake medical practitioners in the country, directed the PMDC to take effective measure and to impose restriction on homeopathic practitioner and quacks as they should not use word 'doctor' with their name.
Registrar PMDC, Dr Ahmed Nadeem Akbar informed the committee that whoever falsely pretends to be registered medical practitioner or dentist and uses with his name any word or letter representing that he/she is registered with the Council or uses the word 'doctor' without legal basis be punishable with fine which may extend to one hundred thousand rupees or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with both. Meanwhile, the committee set up a sub-committee to review the working of PMDC.
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