Indian Raw Material Ban
Amid continued trade tensions with India, Pakistan has accelerated efforts to find alternative sources for importing critical raw materials needed for its pharmaceutical industry, particularly for the production of essential vaccines and life-saving drugs.
Officials confirmed that the Ministry of Health, in close coordination with the Ministry of Commerce, is actively working on a comprehensive strategy aimed at minimizing the country’s reliance on Indian imports.
The move is part of a broader plan to secure sustainable and diversified supply chains in the wake of persistent bilateral friction.
At present, approximately 30% of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical raw materials — including those used for manufacturing key vaccines such as anti-rabies, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), and several cancer treatment drugs — are sourced from India.
However, this dependency has come under renewed scrutiny as political and trade hostilities continue to affect economic cooperation between the two neighbors.
In response, Pakistani authorities have initiated contacts with a range of alternative supplier nations, including China, South Korea, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, and several countries in Europe.
Officials highlighted that Pakistan already meets around 40% of its pharmaceutical raw material needs through imports from China, a partnership they expect to expand further in the coming months.
Prior to the escalation of bilateral tensions in 2019, nearly 60% of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical inputs were imported from India. Since then, that figure has dropped significantly, and government sources are optimistic that complete independence from Indian pharmaceutical imports is achievable through diversification of supply sources.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that once agreements with new partner countries are finalized, the process of registering the imported raw materials will be fast-tracked.
This proactive approach aims to ensure a steady, uninterrupted supply of critical medicines and vaccines, safeguarding public health and minimizing the risk of shortages.
Officials also stressed that the strategy is not only focused on immediate replacements but also on building long-term partnerships that will strengthen Pakistan’s pharmaceutical resilience against future external shocks.
