Summary Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said DRAP reforms ongoing and Pakistan will soon produce vaccines locally, boosting exports and regulatory standards.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said reforms in the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) are being accelerated, adding that the country will soon be capable of producing vaccines locally.
He made the remarks during a visit to DRAP, where he chaired a high-level meeting attended by senior health officials.
The meeting reviewed implementation of the track and trace system with 2D barcodes, automation initiatives by DRAP and the roadmap following approval of the national vaccine policy.
Also read: Pakistan approves first-ever national vaccine policy, paving way for local production
Discussions also covered a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia, global benchmarking of the national regulatory system and institutional reforms at the provincial level.
The minister said he would personally coordinate with provincial governments for implementation of the World Health Organization’s global benchmarking system.
He added that Pakistan is committed to local vaccine production and, following approval of the national vaccine policy, will soon achieve this capability.
Mustafa Kamal noted that ongoing reforms in DRAP are yielding positive results and the authority is being upgraded in line with international standards.
He directed officials to expedite efforts for achieving WHO Level-3 status, which would enable Pakistani medicines to access markets in up to 150 countries.
Currently, Pakistan exports medicines to 51 countries, and the move is expected to boost exports and strengthen the national economy.
