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Long-term Strategies Being Adopted To Overcome Decades-old Problems: Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar
Fakhir Rizvi Published January 15, 2019 | 11:39 PM
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar Tuesday said that Pakistan was passing through huge challenges now-a-days and the problems surfaced in the last three months were the result of wrong economic policies of last 70 years
Talking to media after inaugurating the three-day 8th Pak Pharma and Healthcare Expo 2019 Exhibition and Conference here at Expo Centre, he said that Pakistani pharmaceutical exports could be enhanced up to $2 billion in next two to three years and the PTI government would provide all possible support to solve problems of this sector.
To a question, he said we have two options: whether to solve the problems on temporary basis and bring the country towards disaster or face realities by accepting challenges with long-term strategy.
Governor said the PTI had formed the government with the legacy of internal and external borrowings and debts left by previous regimes, asserting, "Give this government some breathing space and time to deliver as even the party activist keeps an eye on our policies with critical angle and supports us on principles." Asked if the NAB chairman should appear before the parliament, Sarwar said the incumbent chairman was appointed on the recommendation of both PML-N and PPP, while the PTI believed that every institution was accountable before the parliament. There was no issue if the chairman appeared before the parliamentarians, he maintained.
He said pharmaceutical exports could be enhanced up to $ 2 billion in next three years, adding the Federal as well as Punjab government would extend every possible cooperation and support to the pharmaceutical industry.
Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said that Hepatitis had become biggest challenge in the country as up to 20 per cent citizens were suffering from the disease.
A concentrated effort by a conglomeration of NGOs including Sarwar Foundation had begun with a target of conducting tests of 100,000 people, he added.
Governor said that he was thankful to the pharmaceutical industry for pledging medicines worth Rs 150 million for 5,000 inmates, policemen and others who were suffering from Hepatitis.
About increase in prices of medicines, he said the government had initiated efforts to bring down the cost of production of medicines and other products in terms of regional and global competitiveness. Unfortunately, the fluctuation in US Dollar rate had affected the prices of goods used in manufacturing medicines as raw material was usually imported, and government did not want to close down units, he mentioned.
Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (Centre) Chairman Zahid Saeed told reporters that Pakistani pharmaceutical industry was exporting medicines worth $ 300 million.
"We are requesting the government to include pharma industry in the exports sector as the industry has capacity to become second after textiles in overall exports volume," he urged.
Saeed said that regional bench marking had established that prices of Pakistani medicines stand average between prices in India and Bangladesh. About 15 per cent increase in prices of medicines, he said that 40 per cent Currency devaluation had enhanced cost of production of medicines but the government did not increase prices in proportion to depreciation.
In addition to US dollar, he added, increase in tariffs of gas, diesel and electricity needed at least 30 per cent adjustments to achieve viability.
Director Prime Event Kamran Abbasi told reporters that more than 70 companies including five countries China, Taiwan, Turkey, Malaysia and Germany have set up 200 stalls to display products, equipment, technology and raw material.
He said the objective of the expo is to introduce new medicine technologies in Pakistan and counter fake medicines by inviting local and foreign manufacturing companies.
PPMA Chairman (North) Ansar Farooq and President ICMA Pakistan Zia-ul-Mustafa were also present.
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