Medicine Stocks Sufficient to Meet Demand for next 5–6 months: Health Minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Mustafa Kamal stated that Pakistan had sufficient medicine stocks to meet demand for the next five to six months.

“Despite ongoing international challenges, the health ministry and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap), in close coordination with the pharmaceutical industry, have taken timely and effective measures to safeguard medicine supplies,” Kamal said, while chairing a meeting to review the availability of medicines and the national supply chain.

The health minister said that proactive steps ensured the uninterrupted availability of medicines across Pakistan. “Pakistan currently holds sufficient medicine stocks to meet demand for the next five to six months,” he noted.

Kamal reassured the public that, despite the prevailing global situation due to the conflict in the Middle East, there would be no shortage of medicines.

“The health ministry and Drap are maintaining strict oversight to ensure continuous supply, while the government remains fully committed to providing uninterrupted access to essential healthcare services,” he stated.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries and Drap Chief Executive Officer Dr Obaidullah Malik.

The primary objective of the meeting was to assess and strengthen a comprehensive strategy to ensure the uninterrupted availability of medicines across the country under all circumstances.

Participants also conducted a detailed review of the availability of helium gas used in MRI machines, recognising its critical importance for diagnostic services nationwide.