In Islamabad, health officials have launched emergency preparedness initiatives to secure pharmaceutical supplies following the suspension of trade relations with India, as reported on Saturday.

This action comes after India halted the Indus Water Treaty in light of the recent attack in Pahalgam, prompting Pakistan to suspend all trade with New Delhi.

According to Geo News, the cessation of trade has led to urgent measures to ensure the availability of essential pharmaceuticals in Pakistan.

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has indicated that, although there has been no formal announcement regarding the ban's effects on the pharmaceutical industry, contingency plans are already being implemented.

A senior DRAP official mentioned, "We began preparing for such situations after the 2019 crisis and are now exploring alternative sources for our pharmaceutical requirements."

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

To address this disruption, DRAP is actively seeking alternative suppliers from countries such as China, Russia, and several European nations.

The agency's goal is to maintain a steady supply of critical medical products, including anti-rabies vaccines, anti-snake venom, cancer treatments, monoclonal antibodies, and other essential biological items.

Despite DRAP's proactive measures, industry insiders and health professionals have raised concerns about potential shortages if the situation is not managed promptly.

A senior official from the Ministry of National Health Services, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, "Pakistan imports a significant portion of its pharmaceutical raw materials from India, including crucial anti-cancer therapies and vaccines."

The Ministry of Health has not yet received any official communication regarding the status of pharmaceutical imports, despite the government's broad announcement to suspend trade with India.

The pharmaceutical industry is apprehensive that disruptions in the supply chain could lead to severe shortages.

The situation is further complicated by a thriving black market, where unregistered and unapproved medications are smuggled into Pakistan from Afghanistan, Iran, Dubai, and even across the eastern border.

While these illegal channels may temporarily fill the gaps left by legitimate imports, they do not guarantee quality or a reliable supply.

A group of pharmaceutical industry leaders visited Islamabad on Thursday to request an exemption from the trade ban.

"We met with officials from DRAP and the Ministry of Commerce to discuss the trade suspension and urged them to exempt the pharmaceutical sector, as many life-saving products rely solely on raw materials from India," stated Tauqeer-ul-Haq, Chairman of the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA).

The PPMA delegation also approached the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), advocating for the exclusion of pharmaceutical and health-related trade from the ban to safeguard patients' lives.

However, some experts view this crisis as an opportunity for long-term investment in local production of APIs, vaccines, and biological products.

"This situation could serve as a pivotal moment for Pakistan," remarked Zafar Iqbal, a senior public health expert.

The recent attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, primarily tourists, marks the deadliest incident in the region since the Pulwama attack in 2019. The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for this tragic event.