PPMA refutes medicine shortage claims, assures stable supply in Pakistan

PPMA refutes medicine shortage claims in Pakistan, assures supply remains stable

KARACHI: The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA) has strongly refuted reports of a large-scale medicine shortage in Pakistan, calling them “alarmist and unfounded.” The clarification comes after the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) highlighted what it described as an unprecedented crisis, warning patients of limited access to life-saving drugs.

In a detailed statement, PPMA Chairman Tauqeer Ul Haq emphasized that such claims do not reflect the ground realities and risk creating unnecessary panic among patients. He explained that the federal government’s recent decisions on medicine price fixation and deregulation of non-essential drugs had stabilized the supply chain, ensuring continued access to essential and life-saving medicines nationwide.

“Attempts to portray a crisis overlook the resilience of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry. While some multinational companies have exited the country for commercial reasons, local manufacturers, operating under international quality standards, have stepped in to provide reliable alternatives,” he noted.

Related story: PMA warns of catastrophic medicine shortage, urges urgent government action

Local alternatives available for most medicines

The PPMA clarified that out of the 80 brands listed by PMA as unavailable, only seven—including Chloro-butanol and Emedastine Difumarate—are not currently available in the market. However, local alternatives for these medicines are readily accessible. Similarly, medicines such as Sodium Amidotrizoate have intermittent availability, but their substitutes are present.

For insulin, only one company’s brand is unavailable, while other brands continue to be supplied across the country. PPMA added that insulin and anti-cancer medicines are mainly distributed through temperature-controlled pharmacies and hospitals, where patients requiring these treatments are being served.

Vaccines remain a global challenge

Acknowledging that vaccines present a significant challenge, the PPMA Chairman said it was a global issue rather than one specific to Pakistan. He confirmed that the association is working with the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and other stakeholders to establish domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity to ensure long-term self-reliance.

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