Pakistan faces critical drug supply crisis as trade with India suspended

In the wake of a significant trade suspension with India, Pakistan has been forced to initiate emergency measures to safeguard its pharmaceutical supplies.

The move comes after India’s decision to halt trade following the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty in response to the Pahalgam attack, triggering a crisis that threatens essential medical resources in Pakistan.

On April 26, reports indicated that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) had begun implementing “emergency preparedness” measures to address the country’s pharmaceutical needs, as supply chains face a critical disruption.

While DRAP officials have not yet received official notification regarding the direct impact of India’s trade halt on pharmaceutical imports, contingency plans set in motion since the 2019 crisis are now being activated.

"We are actively seeking alternative sources to secure our pharmaceutical needs, including from China, Russia, and Europe," said a senior DRAP official, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Currently, Pakistan relies on India for 30% to 40% of its pharmaceutical raw materials, including crucial Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and advanced therapeutic products.

This trade halt threatens Pakistan's ability to maintain steady supplies of life-saving medications, such as cancer therapies, anti-rabies vaccines, anti-snake venom, and monoclonal antibodies. While alternative supply avenues are being explored, experts warn that immediate action is needed to avoid critical shortages.

Despite DRAP's preparation, insiders from the Ministry of National Health Services have expressed concern over the potential for serious disruptions. “Our imports from India account for 30%–40% of the pharmaceutical raw materials, including key vaccines and sera,” said a senior Ministry official.

The delay in receiving official clarifications regarding the status of these imports has intensified fears about shortages in the near future.

The situation is further complicated by the existence of a robust black market where unapproved Indian medicines are smuggled into Pakistan via Afghanistan, Iran, Dubai, and the eastern border.

While these illicit routes may temporarily fill gaps in supply, they offer no guarantee of quality or consistency.

Industry leaders have been quick to act, with a delegation from the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) visiting Islamabad on April 24 to push for exemptions for the pharmaceutical sector from the trade ban.

"We stressed the importance of exempting life-saving medicines from the ban, as many of these products rely on raw materials exclusively sourced from India," said Tauqeer-ul-Haq, Chairman of the PPMA.

As Pakistan navigates this growing crisis, health authorities are under increasing pressure to secure an uninterrupted supply of essential medications, with the lives of countless patients hanging in the balance.