Islamabad, December 13, 2023 – The Pakistan Single Window (PSW) has taken a significant step towards modernizing and streamlining trade processes by initiating the electronic issuance of drug import licenses and release orders, according to a press release issued on Wednesday.
In collaboration with the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), PSW has successfully integrated existing entities, licenses, and product registrations related to drugs into its platform and has commenced the gradual rollout of various digital services.
The primary objective of this initiative is to boost transparency, efficiency, and facilitate ease of doing business for pharmaceutical companies, commercial importers, healthcare institutions, and humanitarian organizations involved in the importation of finished drugs. This move aligns with the broader digital transformation efforts in the country’s regulatory processes.
In the current phase, PSW will provide digital services related to the electronic submission and issuance of drug import licenses of all types. Additionally, the platform will facilitate the release order for donated unregistered drugs imported by hospitals, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other organizations. These services are slated to be available on the PSW platform starting January 2024, with the aim of reducing the time and cost associated with pharmaceutical imports, ensuring faster delivery to those in need.
To introduce stakeholders to the new digital processes, PSW organized a webinar attended by over 130 participants, including Drug Import License holders, Drug Manufacturing License holders, Customs Agents, and members of various trade and pharmaceutical associations and chambers. During the webinar, PSW officials demonstrated the filling of drug import license requests and their issuance through the PSW portal, addressing questions and suggestions from the participants.
Umair Mehmood, the Domain Officer, highlighted the significance of integrating drug import licenses and release orders for donated unregistered drugs into the PSW system. He described it as a major milestone in DRAP’s ongoing efforts to modernize and streamline its trade processes. This initiative is expected to benefit pharmaceutical companies and healthcare institutions, ensuring timely access to essential medicines for patients across Pakistan.
Expressing pride in the collaboration, Mehmood stated that PSW is honored to be DRAP’s partner in this crucial initiative. The integration of DRAP into the PSW platform represents a pivotal milestone in the ongoing efforts to provide all cross-border trade-related services on a single digital platform. The collaboration between DRAP and PSW was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on November 11, 2022, with the shared goal of making the overall clearance process more efficient, transparent, and agile.
As Pakistan moves toward a more digitized and interconnected regulatory environment, this collaboration between PSW and DRAP is poised to bring about positive changes in the pharmaceutical importation process, fostering a more efficient and transparent landscape for businesses and regulatory authorities alike.
