Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry has achieved a historic milestone, with exports surging by 34% in FY25, reaching $457 million—the highest growth in two decades2. This remarkable performance places pharma among the top five fastest-growing export categories, signaling a new era of global competitiveness and innovation.
Deregulation Fuels Growth
The turning point came in February 2024, when the government deregulated pricing for non-essential medicines, allowing pharmaceutical companies to adjust prices in line with inflation and international norms3. This policy shift:
- Encouraged new investments in production and R&D
- Reduced black-market activity and counterfeit drug circulation
- Enabled foreign firms to expand operations instead of exiting the market
Expanding Export Horizons
Pakistan’s therapeutic goods—including pharmaceuticals, surgicals, medical devices, and nutraceuticals—generated $909 million in exports in FY252. Key export destinations include:
- Afghanistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan
- Emerging markets like Iraq, Kenya, Vietnam, and Myanmar
Innovation and Self-Reliance
Industry leaders are now investing in:
- Local vaccine production
- API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) manufacturing
- WHO-prequalified facilities for global compliance3
These efforts aim to reduce import dependency and position Pakistan as a regional hub for affordable generics, especially as countries like India and China shift toward R&D-heavy models4.
Industry Voices
PPMA Chairman Tauqeer Ul Haq credited the growth to “a good pricing policy” and emphasized that deregulation has aligned Pakistan with international best practices, enabling sustainable expansion
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