The Challenges and Opportunities in Export of Pharmaceuticals from Pakistan

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals are major sectors in terms of economic growth and public health, but the pharmaceutical

exports from Pakistan are happening on account of various challenges. Some of the prime barriers are

delays in regulatory approvals, high registration costs, trade barriers, supply chain inefficiencies, and a

lesser local availability of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API). Moreover, a few local bioequivalence

testing facilities and their high costs of international certifications also restrict the global competitiveness

of Pakistani pharmaceutical exports. The quantitative research method supporting deductive methodology

has been applied in this study. A cross-sectional design comprises collecting data from professionals in

the pharmaceutical export sector using self-administered questionnaires. Findings indicating the presence

of regulatory inefficiency, financial constraints, and infrastructure inadequacy are holding a very

significant impact on the export performance of local manufacturers making it difficult to compete

globally. The adoption of international certifications and the establishment of bioequivalence testing

facilities with export incentives would also pay much contribution to the establishment of a

Pharmaceutical Special Economic Zone (SEZ). All of these have to be in place so that these barriers are

lifted from struggling pharmaceutical exporters, giving them latitude to work with less operational hurdles

and more compliance with global standards in opening up new market opportunities. This research

provides appreciation for stakeholders and policymakers, showing how to strengthen Pakistan against the

global pharmaceutical market