LAHORE, Oct 28 (APP):The National Productivity Organization (NPO), in collaboration with the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) and Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), is implementing an international technical assistance programme to strengthen regulatory compliance, improve productivity and enhance the export readiness of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry.
The programme, being implemented from October 20 to 30, 2026, under the Asian Productivity Organization’s Technical Expert Service (APO-TES), focuses on international Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) principles and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements.
According to the programme details, international technical expert Chuan Yao from Singapore, who has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, is providing technical guidance, conducting company-level assessments and supporting capacity building to help participating companies identify regulatory compliance gaps and adopt practical corrective measures.
The technical assistance covers GMP and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), production processes, quality assurance and control, documentation, validation, data integrity, regulatory affairs and inspection preparedness. The programme also aims to strengthen quality management systems, identify priority corrective actions and develop a model FDA compliance framework for wider application across the industry.
Speaking at an industry dissemination seminar held here on Wednesday, NPO Chief Executive Officer M. Alamgir Chaudhry highlighted the need to strengthen regulatory compliance and quality standards to improve the competitiveness of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry and facilitate access to international markets.
He also emphasised effective collaboration between the government and industry to promote sustainable industrial development and export growth.
PPMA North Chairman Hamid M. Zaka highlighted the importance of technical capacity building and industry-wide collaboration in enabling pharmaceutical companies to meet international regulatory requirements.
PPMA Vice Chairman Faisal Khokhar stressed the need to align pharmaceutical manufacturing practices and quality management systems with international standards to enhance the sector’s export readiness.
To extend the benefits of the initiative, another industry dissemination seminar will be held in Karachi on October 30. The event will provide a platform for sharing technical knowledge, expert guidance and best practices with a wider audience across Pakistan’s pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sector, while promoting awareness of international GMP, PIC/S and US FDA requirements.
The initiative is aligned with Pakistan’s Pharmaceuticals Export Strategy 2023–2027, which identifies pharmaceuticals as a priority export sector, and supports the objectives of URAAN Pakistan, the National Economic Transformation Plan 2024–29, particularly in export-led growth, workforce development and industrial competitiveness.
Through the programme, NPO Pakistan, PPMA and RCCI aim to strengthen industrial productivity, enhance technical capabilities and promote internationally recognised quality and compliance practices to help Pakistani pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies expand their presence in global markets.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
