During a pivotal visit to the National Research Institute for Fertility Care (NRIFC) in Karachi, Federal Minister for Health, Syed Mustafa Kamal, outlined a forward-looking agenda to elevate Pakistan’s healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

He engaged with key directors from NRIFC, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), and Border Health Services, directing them to compile comprehensive reports on their current challenges and strategies. Kamal called for a detailed five-year strategic plan from each institution, emphasizing the necessity to assess their present status and future objectives.

Dr Saif-ur-Rehman Khattak provided insights into DRAP’s field operations and the upgraded Central Drug Testing Laboratory (CDTL) in Karachi, which is on track to become Pakistan’s first government lab to achieve WHO pre-qualification within three months.

Kamal urged further enhancements to the CDTL and requested a five-year development blueprint to bring it up to international standards. He highlighted the critical impact of these decisions on human lives and affirmed the commitment to providing advanced healthcare facilities across Pakistan.

The minister also focused on strengthening the pharmaceutical sector, advocating for increased exports and improved local manufacturing. He instructed authorities to adhere to international quality standards, a move aimed at attracting foreign investment. Kamal pledged robust support to local pharmaceutical industries to ensure the production of high-quality medicines domestically, which would bolster Pakistan’s position in the global market.