KARACHI: At a seminar jointly held by the Pakistan Zinc Society and a local pharmaceutical entity titled "Significance of Zinc for Health" recently at a local hotel in Karachi, experts and stakeholders highlighted the WHO prequalification of zinc products manufacturing facilities in Pakistan terming it a vital advancement in the fight against diarrhea.
The event featured notable speakers, including Prof Nadeem Qamar, Executive Director of Cardiology, Haroon Qasim, Managing Director of local pharmaceutical company Pharmevo, Chief Operating Officer Nadeem Rahmat, and other experts.
In Pakistan, where the monthly count of diarrhea cases exceeds one million, leading to the heartbreaking loss of about 110 children each day, recent initiatives have sparked optimism in addressing this critical issue.
The speakers said prequalification of zinc products manufacturing facilities in Pakistan by WHO marks a substantial stride in reducing reliance on foreign pharmaceutical imports. The certification is expected to enable both domestic and international entities to access zinc products at more affordable rates through local firm Pharmevo. This not only conserves crucial foreign exchange but, more significantly, contributes to saving more children's lives by preventing diarrhea-related fatalities.
Dr Abdul Bari Khan, a prominent figure in the medical arena, lauded the WHO's pre-qualification of zinc medications manufactured by a Pakistani firm as a highly positive step for the country. He underscored the crucial role of zinc supplements in protecting children from diarrhea and malnutrition, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating floods in Sindh and Balochistan last year.
Highlighting the significant expenditure of international organizations like UNICEF on purchasing drugs from multinational pharmaceutical companies, Dr Khan urged local pharmaceutical industries to focus on producing medications for diseases such as tuberculosis, manufacturing of HIV, and cancer saying this could help Pakistan retain essential foreign exchange.
Dr Khan disclosed that Pakistani pharmaceutical exports totaled $713 million in the previous year, with optimistic projections anticipating the industry's exports to surpass one billion dollars, marking a significant milestone.
He stressed the preventable nature of most diarrhea-related deaths, advocating for improved access to clean water, oral rehydration solutions (ORS), and zinc supplements for affected children, while emphasizing the necessity for enhanced collaboration between the industry and medical universities.
Haroon Qasim reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a healthier society in Pakistan, considering the WHO's pre-qualification of Pharmevo's manufacturing plant as a substantial achievement. This collective endeavor holds the promise of safeguarding numerous young lives and building a brighter, healthier future for Pakistan's children.
Mr Qassim highlighted the unique opportunity this recognition presents for the company to expand its global reach through exports.
He emphasized the importance of the WHO prequalification in enabling donor agencies to identify and source pharmaceutical products from pre-qualified companies, thereby facilitating the delivery of essential healthcare solutions worldwide.
“It has been a blessing that PharmEvo has pre-qualified for WHO certification, and we are the number one company in the world to qualify for zinc tablet and zinc suspension [syrup],” Qassim told the media. “There is no other company in the world which has pre-qualified for zinc suspension,” he added.
PharmEvo's WHO prequalification not only signifies a significant milestone for the company but also serves as a gateway for pharmaceutical products manufactured in Pakistan to gain access to international markets. This achievement underscores PharmEvo's commitment to global health and its dedication to addressing some of the world's most pressing health challenges.
Dr. Fareed Iqbal Qureshi, Secretary at the Trade Development Corporation of Pakistan (TDAP), lauded the WHO certification as a pivotal milestone for the country, expecting a substantial boost to Pakistan's pharmaceutical exports globally. Encouraging Pakistani pharmaceutical companies, he urged them to capitalize on this opportunity to expand their exports, particularly to African countries, known for their less stringent market requirements compared to Europe.
“This will substantially boost Pakistan's pharmaceutical exports to numerous
countries worldwide,” he added.
Echoing the significance of zinc supplementation in combating diarrhea, Syed Jamshed Ahmed, President of the Pakistan Zinc Promotion Society, emphasized the critical need to ensure the availability of zinc supplements alongside Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) to effectively address the high fatality rate caused by diarrhea, especially among children in Pakistan.
“In Pakistan, more than 100 children die from diarrhea daily. Although we have Oral Rehydrating Solution (ORS), the availability of zinc is limited, and often parents skip administration alongside ORS,” he regretted.