PTI Govt To Support Pharmaceutical Industry In Producing Local Raw Material: Dr Yasmeen Rashid

Sumaira FH Published January 16, 2019 | 10:34 PM

Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmeen Rashid said on Wednesday that present government would fully support pharmaceutical industry and efforts would be made to produce raw material used in manufacturing medicines locally to reduce imports

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Jan, 2019 ) :Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmeen Rashid said on Wednesday that present government would fully support pharmaceutical industry and efforts would be made to produce raw material used in manufacturing medicines locally to reduce imports.

She expressed these views, while talking to media persons during her visit to 8th Pak Pharma & Healthcare Expo here at Expo Centre, where organizer Director Prime Event Kamran Abbasi welcomed her.

The Minister added that these steps would not only enhance pharma exports but also help reduce prices of drugs.

She said that present government was laying greater focus on the health of infants and mothers, adding, "We are constructing five new maternity centres and refurbishing the existing hospitals and healthcare centres for the wellbeing of citizens." Congratulating the organizers of the expo, Dr Yasmeen Rashid said that PTI government would provide every possible support to the industry.

She was of the view that the production of raw material in Pakistan could improve the economic viability of the industry.

"The initiative can also lead to reduction in prices of medicines and enhancement of pharmaceutical exports. We do have each type of skills and only need to merge these," she observed.

To a question, the minister said the energy policy took wrong turns in the past as gas was supplied to the transport sector could have been provided to the pharma industry. She recalled the energy crisis led to rendering two million workers jobless only in Faisalabad in the past, adding the existing government had recently extended full support to the gas industry.

The expo would continue till tomorrow (Thursday).