Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal chaired a high-level meeting to review the availability of medicines in the country amid prevailing global and regional challenges. The session brought together key representatives from the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, the Federal Secretary for Health and the Chief Executive Officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to assess current risks to the national medicine supply.
The primary objective was to evaluate and strengthen a comprehensive strategy to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential medicines and maintain a resilient supply chain across the country. Participants conducted a detailed review of helium gas availability, a critical input for MRI machines, and discussed coordination measures between regulators and industry to mitigate any shortfalls.
The minister noted that the Ministry of Health and DRAP, working closely with the pharmaceutical sector, have implemented timely measures to protect the medicine supply. As a result of these proactive actions, officials reported that the country currently holds sufficient stocks of essential medicines for the next five to six months, offering reassurance that patients will not face disruptions in accessing necessary healthcare supplies.
Authorities stressed continued monitoring and coordination to sustain medicine supply and strengthen distribution networks nationwide. The minister directed all relevant stakeholders to enhance collaboration and maintain proactive steps to fortify the supply chain, ensuring the government can respond swiftly to any future challenges while upholding continuous provision of essential health services.
