Pakistan, China sign $850mn pharma agreements at industry conference.

Pakistan and China signed pharmaceutical agreements worth $850 million at the conclusion of the two-day Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical and Healthcare B2B Investment Conference, marking a significant step in bilateral healthcare cooperation.

 

Speaking at a media briefing, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the conference resulted in 16 contracts and 80 memorandums of understanding (MoUs), describing the outcome as an important milestone for economic collaboration between the two countries.

 

According to the minister, the agreements include $600 million in contracts and $250 million in MoUs, with 18 deals focused on herbal medicines. He said the partnerships would encourage local production of healthcare equipment and attract greater investment into Pakistan's pharmaceutical sector.

 

Kamal said both sides also discussed establishing local vaccine manufacturing, noting that Pakistan currently imports 13 different vaccines. He warned that the country's vaccine import bill could reach $1.2 billion by 2030, making domestic production essential for reducing import dependence and conserving foreign exchange.

 

He added that Pakistan imports nearly 90% of its pharmaceutical raw materials, and agreements with Chinese firms would help develop local production capacity, lowering medicine costs and strengthening the industry's supply chain.

 

The minister said discussions also covered the local manufacturing of medical devices, promotion of clinical trials, and vocational training for the pharmaceutical industry.

 

Highlighting regulatory reforms, Kamal said more than 80% of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) services have been digitized, enabling online licensing, with medicine licences expected to be issued within 20 days of registration.

 

He also noted that Pakistan's pharmaceutical regulatory framework has gained international recognition, with the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalifying local laboratories for drug testing.

 

The conference brought together 146 Chinese companies, represented by around 220 delegates, alongside more than 200 Pakistani companies, making it one of the largest Pakistan-China business engagements in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and biotechnology sectors.