Mobilising investment, de-risk projects: Pakistan prioritizing cooperation with National Vaccine Fund & Alliance

ISLAMABAD: State Minister for National Health Services and Regulations Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Malik has said that Pakistan is prioritizing public-private partnerships, G2G and B2B cooperation, along with proposed initiatives such as a National Vaccine Fund and a National Vaccine Alliance to mobilise investment and de-risk vaccine-related projects.

He stated this here on Tuesday while addressing the second day of the 4th Meeting of the OIC Vaccine Manufacturers Group, organised at the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) COMSTECH Secretariat.

Dr Malik also noted progress toward achieving WHO Maturity Level 3 for Pakistan’s drug regulatory authority, with support from WHO EMRO, and efforts to establish WHO-compliant and pre-qualified vaccine manufacturing facilities.

He emphasized that vaccines are essential for public goods and central to health security, equity, and sustainable development across OIC Member States. He noted that global vaccine manufacturing remains highly concentrated, with more than 70 percent of vaccines produced in fewer than ten countries, leaving many low- and middle-income countries dependent on external suppliers.

Referring to lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, he highlighted persistent vulnerabilities in antigen production, technology access, regulatory maturity, and supply chain resilience, particularly within the OIC region.

While acknowledging existing vaccine manufacturing capacity in countries such as Indonesia, Turkiye, Iran, and Egypt, he stressed that capacity across the OIC remains fragmented and requires coordinated action.

Dr Malik underscored the importance of the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) mapping study as a foundational tool to assess manufacturing capacity, regulatory readiness, and demand across Member States, enabling evidence-based collaboration, technology transfer, and targeted investment.

Sharing Pakistan’s experience, he stated that vaccine manufacturing has been declared a strategic national priority, supported by a National Vaccine Policy, regulatory strengthening, fiscal incentives, Special Economic Zones, and long-term public procurement commitments.

Malik further informed participants that the Asian Development Bank has conditionally expressed readiness to provide up to USD 250 million in soft financing for viable vaccine manufacturing projects. Concluding his remarks, Dr Malik called for an implementation-focused roadmap with clear timelines and shared responsibility, urging OIC Member States to strengthen collaboration to build a resilient, self-reliant, and future-ready vaccine manufacturing ecosystem.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026