ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is seeking Chinese support for joint vaccine and pharmaceutical production as the country looks to reduce reliance on imported medicines and prepare for a possible rise in vaccine costs in the coming years.

The matter was discussed during a meeting between Pakistan’s Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, according to a statement issued by the health ministry.

Officials said Pakistan currently imports 80 to 90 percent of pharmaceutical raw materials, including active pharmaceutical ingredients used in medicine production. Kamal said local production of pharmaceutical raw materials and APIs was essential to strengthen the country’s health sector.

Pakistan also wants to expand domestic vaccine production as global donor support for immunization programmes is expected to decline by 2030. Officials said Pakistan currently funds 49 percent of its vaccine costs, while donors cover the remaining 51 percent.

Kamal said Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority is expected to achieve World Health Organization Level 3 maturity status by early 2027, a benchmark that could help Pakistani pharmaceutical companies expand exports to more countries.

According to the statement, China expressed interest in strengthening health-sector cooperation with Pakistan and supporting its pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity.

The two sides agreed to institutionalize cooperation before Kamal’s planned visit to China in October 2026. Pakistani health ministry and DRAP officials will serve as focal persons for follow-up coordination.

China also announced additional scholarships for Pakistani students and invited Kamal to attend a global conference on traditional medicine later this year.