To combat the proliferation of unregistered and unlicensed drugs, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has completed the digitization of drug registration for 90,000 drugs and licenses for 650 pharmaceutical companies.
Companies can now apply for drug registration and licensing online, eliminating the need for physical visits to DRAP offices. This digital transformation aims to reduce administrative burdens and expedite the approval process.
The new system will also facilitate the registration and licensing of new drugs from multinational companies. DRAP registers an average of 6,000 to 7,000 new drugs annually and grants licenses to approximately 15 new pharmaceutical companies each year.
The digitization of the registration and licensing process is anticipated to enhance efficiency, minimize delays, and foster transparency within the pharmaceutical sector.