KARACHI: Pakistan's pharmaceutical industry has achieved another international milestone as the World Health Organization (WHO) granted prequalification to a tuberculosis medicine manufactured at Getz Pharma's Astola facility in Karachi, potentially strengthening the company's ability to compete for international pharmaceutical procurement contracts.
The WHO granted full prequalification to Getz Pharma's Moxifloxacin hydrochloride 400mg film-coated tablet on November 2, 2026, under product reference TB418, identifying its Astola complex located at Plot 01 Sector 25, Korangi Industrial Area Karachi as the finished pharmaceutical product manufacturing site.
The company says the recognition makes Astola its second WHO-prequalified manufacturing facility in Pakistan, following an earlier milestone involving its first production plant.
Getz Pharma celebrates recognition in Karachi
The achievement was announced at a ceremony held over the weekend at Getz Pharma's Astola manufacturing complex in Karachi.
Addressing hundreds of physicians, surgeons and healthcare professionals, Khalid Mahmood, Executive Chairman of Getz Pharma, described the recognition as a landmark development for Pakistan's pharmaceutical industry.
"This is not only an achievement for Getz Pharma but for Pakistan, its healthcare professionals and millions of patients who rely on safe, effective and affordable medicines," Mahmood said.
He said the recognition reflected the company's sustained investment in manufacturing standards, quality assurance, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and safety controls.
According to Khalid Mahmood, the achievement could strengthen international confidence in Pakistani-manufactured medicines and create further opportunities in overseas markets where compliance with stringent quality requirements is essential.
The Astola manufacturing complex took approximately 12 years to develop and became operational in 2022. According to the company, it houses six manufacturing units covering different therapeutic categories.
Getz Pharma previously secured WHO prequalification in 2019
The latest recognition builds on Getz Pharma's established history of manufacturing Moxifloxacin 400mg tablets.
The company markets the medicine in Pakistan under the brand name Moxiget, with earlier product documentation identifying its original Karachi manufacturing facility as the manufacturer. The product is also listed in the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan's registration and pricing records.
Why WHO prequalification matters for medicine manufacturers
WHO prequalification is an internationally recognised quality-assurance process through which medicines are assessed against established standards of quality, safety and efficacy.
For finished pharmaceutical products, the process includes examination of submitted technical documentation, manufacturing methods, product quality and relevant manufacturing-site compliance with WHO Good Manufacturing Practices.
WHO may conduct its own inspections or rely on appropriate evidence from regulatory authorities operating to equivalent standards.
Once a medicine is prequalified, it becomes eligible for consideration by United Nations procurement agencies, governments and international organisations seeking quality-assured medicines.
This can provide manufacturers with access to procurement opportunities in markets and health programmes where WHO prequalification is required or preferred.
For Getz Pharma, the latest listing could strengthen its ability to compete for international orders involving Moxifloxacin, particularly in tuberculosis treatment programmes.
Pakistan's pharmaceutical exports reach $457 million
The development comes as Pakistan's pharmaceutical exports continue to expand.
According to statistics published by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the country's pharmaceutical exports reached approximately US$457 million during the financial year 2024–25, compared with US$342 million in the preceding year.
The increase represents year-on-year growth of approximately 34 percent, reflecting the sector's expanding presence in international markets.
Zeeshan Ahmed, Deputy Managing Director of Getz Pharma, said the company accounts for nearly half of Pakistan's pharmaceutical exports and supplies medicines to more than 45 countries.
He said the additional WHO recognition could strengthen Getz Pharma's competitiveness in international markets, particularly those with demanding regulatory and quality-assurance requirements.
He emphasised that continued investment in advanced manufacturing technologies, quality systems and skilled human resources was necessary to improve Pakistan's standing in the global pharmaceutical industry.
For Pakistan's pharmaceutical industry, the broader importance of the milestone lies in demonstrating that medicines manufactured locally can meet internationally recognised quality standards.
Getz Pharma's latest WHO prequalification builds on its earlier achievement and offers another opportunity to strengthen Pakistan's position as a supplier of quality-assured medicines to international markets.
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