Deregulation of non-essential medicines leads to 34pc increase in pharma exports

Deregulation of non-essential medicines in 2024 has led to a 34 percent increase in pharmaceutical exports, improved medicine availability, expansion of internationally certified manufacturing facilities and higher tax contributions, while any reversal of the policy could result in an industrial crisis and loss of investor confidence, pharmaceutical industry officials said. According to industry estimates, pharmaceutical exports increased from around USD336 million before deregulation to nearly USD450 million in 2025, while manufacturers also expanded investment in WHO, PIC/S and EU GMP compliant facilities aimed at accessing regulated international markets.