Pakistan proposes joint vaccine production programme with China

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2026) Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal has proposed a joint vaccine production programme with China, stressing the need for urgent steps towards local production of pharmaceutical raw materials and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API).

He made these remarks during a meeting with China’s health minister on the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, where both sides discussed bilateral cooperation in the health sector and other issues of mutual interest.

He also discussed the promotion and importance of naphtha cracker projects in Pakistan, noting that 80 to 90 percent of pharmaceutical raw materials.

Mustafa Kamal said the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) would achieve WHO Maturity Level Three status by early 2027, after which Pakistan’s pharmaceutical market would expand to 100 more countries.

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The Chinese health minister said the friendship between Pakistan and China was based on strong and long-standing foundations and reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to further expanding cooperation with Pakistan in the health sector.

He said China’s pharmaceutical industry would support Pakistan in enhancing its capacity for the production of raw materials and modern medicines.

The Chinese minister also announced that a global conference on traditional medicine would be held in October 2026 and said Mustafa Kamal would be formally invited to participate.

Both ministers reiterated their commitment to further strengthening the Pakistan-China “iron friendship.”