Pakistan imported medicines worth Rs 136 cr from India in 2019

Pakistani law makers have expressed concern over Pakistan importing medicines worth crores of rupees from India and China, asking when the country has everything required to produce medicines needed, why they were being imported from other countries.

Islamabad: Pakistan imported medicines and vaccines worth (Pakistani) Rs 136,99,87,000 from India in 2019, its Health Ministry has said.

According to the media reports the imported medicines included life-saving drugs, tablets, syrups and vaccines.

According to figures announced by the Pakistan Health Ministry in Senate last week, the country imported drugs and vaccines worth (Pakistani) Rs 15,43,17,000 in January; Rs 22,32,47,000 in February; Rs 19,37,37,000 in March; Rs 11,10,42,000 in April; Rs 18,96,47,000 in May and Rs 4,89,12,000 from India.

Demanding that the senate be informed about which medicines and vaccines were being imported from India, Senator Abdul Rehman Malik said the government must curb the shortage of snake venom serum and rabies vaccines in Pakistan by making it mandatory for local manufacturers to produce these vaccines in addition to expensive medical products.

"It's a pity that medicines are being imported from India and China when Pakistan is self-sufficient in medical raw material. Vaccines made here would be much more affordable," he added.