Pakistan's Pharmaceutical Sector Faces Crisis as Trade with India Comes to a Halt

Islamabad (The Uttam Hindu): After India's strong response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan reacted sharply, issuing several directives. In addition to closing its airspace to Indian airlines, Pakistan also imposed a ban on the limited trade it had been conducting with India. However, Pakistan may now have to pay a heavy price for this decision.

According to reports, Pakistan's pharmaceutical sector could face a major setback after the complete suspension of trade with India. Many health officials in Pakistan have already started making emergency plans to ensure the supply of medicines. After suspending trade with India, Pakistan has begun seeking solutions to meet its medicinal needs. Pakistani officials are making emergency preparations to secure the supply of medicines.

Pakistan's Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) has also confirmed this. Although no formal notice has been issued regarding this, there could be a shortage of medicines in Pakistan due to the trade ban with India. DRAP may turn to other countries to secure the supply of medicines in Pakistan.

A senior official from DRAP stated that a similar situation occurred in 2019 when Article 370 was revoked in Jammu and Kashmir. In protest, Pakistan had taken similar steps. Since then, we have started preparing for emergencies. We are actively looking for alternative ways to meet the country's medicinal needs.