DRAP wins PM ‘Reform Champion’ award for regulatory modernisation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has conferred the ‘Reform Champion’ award to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) CEO Dr Obaidullah Malik, recognising the regulatory authority’s efforts for regulatory modernisation, transparency, efficiency, and public health protection.

Expressing his gratitude for the award, Dr Obaidullah said in a post: “This recognition is an organisational achievement and is sign of commitment, professionalism, and efforts of the entire DRAP team. These reforms are focused on regulatory modernisation, transparency, efficiency, and public health protection.”

“This award further strengthens our resolve to build a robust, science-based, and globally aligned regulatory system that ensures safe, effective, and quality therapeutic goods for the people of Pakistan.”

Forty life-saving medicines have returned to production, market in Pakistan, says PPMA chairman

The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) congratulated DRAP CEO on being honoured as ‘Reform Champion’ by the prime minister.

“The recognition reflects regulatory reforms supporting PPMA members and strengthening Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector.” the PPMA said in a statement.

Talking to Business Recorder, PPMA Senior Vice Chairman & AGP Limited Managing Director/CEO Kamran Nasir said DRAP merited special recognition for its renewed focus on creating an enabling and industry friendly regulatory environment, while simultaneously strengthening regulatory oversight.

“Achieving this balance will require close alignment with on ground realities and a clear focus on the shared objective of positioning Pakistan as a leading pharmaceutical export hub within the next five years,” he said. Nasir maintained that eliminating spurious medicines, safeguarding deregulation, and improving overall compliance would be critical pillars for that.

“Keeping the pharmaceutical industry actively engaged and informed on all initiatives undertaken by DRAP is a positive and necessary step forward. Dr Obaid and his team deserve commendation for their leadership and the commendable progress being made.”

The DRAP has supported the PPMA in getting non-essential medicines’ pricing deregulated in February 2024, enabling pharma firms to set their drugs prices themselves in line with cost of production.

The DRAP, however, retained the power to regulate the price of essential and life saving medicine to itself.

The deregulation created an enabling environment for the pharma industry to increase access of patients to genuine medicine, eliminate markets for fake medicines and successfully controlled black-marketing of therapies at exorbitant prices.

De-regulation of non-essential drugs has helped availability, realise export potential: PPMA chief

Besides, medicine manufacturing and marketing companies resumed production of dozens of essential medicines at a new price after the DRAP allowed pharma firms to adjust their price with cost under the hardship cases - allowing medicine prices to remain higher than the cost of production. Earlier, companies had stopped making the medicines after their cost surpassed retail prices.

The regulations also helped Pakistan’s pharmaceutical exports growth hitting a two-decade high of 34% in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, securing the fifth position among the fastest-growing export categories in the country with sales of the locally produced medicines rising to $457 million in overseas markets in the fiscal year 2025.