Pakistan is scrambling to find alternate sources for its pharmaceutical imports following the suspension of trade ties with India in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The sudden halt in medical trade is expected to have a deep impact, as 30 to 40 percent of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry relies on India for raw materials, including Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and advanced therapeutic products.
The disruption comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions, including border closures, airspace restrictions, visa cancellations, and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. With the health sector at risk, the Drug Regulatory Authority Pakistan (DRAP) has convened emergency meetings to develop preparedness strategies and secure alternative supplies from China, Russia, and Europe.
A senior DRAP official stated that while no formal notification on pharmaceutical restrictions has been issued, contingency plans were put in place following the 2019 Pulwama attack. Experts fear shortages in anti-rabies vaccines, anti-snake venom, cancer therapies, monoclonal antibodies, and other essential medicines, with health advocates pressing for an exemption from the ban.
Chairman of the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), Tauqeer-ul-Haq, warned that if immediate action is not taken, shortages could lead to a crisis. The PPMA has urged Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to exclude pharmaceutical trade from the broader suspension, prioritizing patient care amid rising concerns from hospitals and manufacturers.
As diplomatic tensions escalate, Pakistan’s health authorities face the urgent task of securing uninterrupted medical supplies, ensuring critical treatments remain available for its population.
