Pakistan’s healthcare at risk: Medical device shortage worsens as import registrations stall

KARACHI: Pakistan’s healthcare system is on the brink of a crisis as an alarming shortage of medical devices threatens hospitals nationwide. Industry leaders are urging the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to expedite the registration process and extend the looming deadline for all types of medical device imports to prevent further disruption.

During a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, representatives from Healthcare Devices Association of Pakistan, the Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association (PCDA), and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) called for immediate government intervention. They warned that continued bureaucratic delays in approving medical device registrations could have devastating consequences for patient care.

Thousands of Medical Device Registrations Stuck in Limbo

Syed Umar Ahmed, Chairman of Healthcare Devices Association of Pakistan, revealed that despite DRAP’s deadline of December 31, 2024, thousands of applications remain unprocessed as of March 2025. This backlog has resulted in shipments of vital medical devices being halted at Lahore Airport, causing severe financial losses for importers and delays in medical treatments.

“Without urgent intervention, hospitals will face shortages of essential equipment like MRI machines, CT scans, dialysis machines, cardiac stents, and surgical tools, impacting life-saving procedures,” he warned.

Pakistan’s Dependence on Medical Device Imports

Adnan Siddiqui, spokesperson for Healthcare Devices Association of Pakistan, emphasized that 90% of Pakistan’s medical devices are imported, and delays in registration approvals are choking the healthcare system.

“When approvals take four to five years, hospitals are left with outdated technology, and patients suffer the consequences. Organ transplants, cardiac surgeries, and other critical treatments are at risk if this issue isn’t resolved,” he added.

Healthcare System in Crisis: Call for DRAP Reforms

Abdul Samad Budhani, Chairman of PCDA, stressed that the ongoing crisis isn’t just about importers—it’s a national healthcare emergency. He called for simplified regulatory processes to ensure medical devices reach hospitals without unnecessary delays.

Meanwhile, Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) representative Abid Maniar criticized Pakistan’s complicated and outdated approval system, pointing out that other countries have streamlined their medical device registrations, ensuring a steady supply of advanced healthcare technologies.

Urgent Appeal to Government: Extend Deadline, Expedite Approvals

The industry leaders have collectively appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal to take immediate action.

Their demands include:
✅ Extending the medical device registration deadline beyond December 31, 2024.
✅ Implementing urgent reforms to accelerate pending approvals.
✅ Simplifying the registration process to ensure hospitals have access to modern medical equipment.