LAHORE: The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) presents significant opportunities for strengthening the healthcare sector in Pakistan through bilateral scientific research and pharmaceutical innovation between Pakistan and China.
This was stated by Adeel Munawar, Commercial Ambassador, Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI), during a meeting held at the PCJCCI Secretariat. He highlighted that the establishment of the Sino-Pakistan Cooperation Center on Traditional Chinese Medicine (SPCCTCM) at Hunan University of Medicine in Huaihua, China, and the University of Karachi reflects the growing collaboration between the two countries in the fields of medical sciences, research, education, and public health. Such centers serve as a comprehensive platform for joint research and development of herbal medicines, health and nutritional products, academic exchanges, medical treatment, industrial collaboration, and capacity building.
He said the initiative would encourage knowledge transfer and create new opportunities for researchers, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare professionals, and academic institutions in both countries.
Traditional Chinese medicine gained global recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic, when China shared treatment protocols, herbal formulations, and clinical expertise with numerous countries, including Pakistan, he stated. This cooperation demonstrated the importance of international collaboration in addressing public health challenges and advancing medical research.
Adeel further stated that the SPCCTCM will bring together leading experts from Pakistan and China to undertake collaborative research in medicinal plant cultivation, botanical identification, quality assurance, efficacy and safety evaluation, clinical research, and the development of innovative herbal medicines.
The center will also facilitate the registration and commercialization of herbal products in both countries, paving the way for increased bilateral investment in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
He added that Pakistan possesses enormous potential in medicinal plant cultivation and herbal medicine production, while China’s advanced expertise offers valuable opportunities for technology transfer, research collaboration, and industrial development. By combining their respective strengths, both countries can develop internationally competitive herbal healthcare products and contribute to improving public health.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026