ISLAMABAD: The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has reviewed progress on key reforms and development initiatives in Pakistan’s health and pharmaceutical sectors, with a focus on local production, investment and export potential.

The meeting was jointly chaired by the Federal Minister for Health and Director General SIFC and attended by senior representatives of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, DRAP, DESTO, PN&MC, NIH (Vaccination & Immunisation) and the Ministry of Commerce.

Participants reviewed progress on priority initiatives aimed at strengthening domestic health-sector capabilities, improving regulatory and institutional coordination and creating new opportunities for investment and exports.

Particular attention was given to indigenous vaccine production, the plasma fractionation project, formulation of a national policies package, roll-out of the drug track-and-trace system and development of the health sector’s export potential.

The meeting also discussed steps to accelerate implementation through closer coordination among relevant institutions.

SIFC stressed the need to convert identified reforms and investment opportunities into tangible outcomes, while creating an enabling environment for local manufacturing, technology development and value addition in the health and pharmaceutical sectors.

The forum also highlighted the importance of strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity so that Pakistan can reduce dependence on external sources while improving the competitiveness of locally produced health and pharmaceutical products.

Participants reaffirmed a coordinated approach under the SIFC framework to advance priority initiatives, support investment and improve the international competitiveness of Pakistan’s health and pharmaceutical industry.

The meeting also placed emphasis on expanding export opportunities as part of broader efforts to develop the sector into a stronger contributor to economic activity and industrial growth.