Islamabad (Web Desk): Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr. Zafar Mirza on Friday said that Pakistan will start manufacturing coronavirus drug Remdesivir soon.
Addressing a news conference, Dr Zafar said a Pakistani pharmaceutical company has concluded its voluntary licensing agreement with US pharmaceutical company Gilead for the manufacture and sale of Remdesivir. Pakistan is among the five countries with which the US company has signed licensing agreement for manufacturing the drug, he added.
The SAPM said production of the medicine can commence as early as eight weeks after the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained. He said Pakistan will also be able to export the medicine to 127 countries facing Coronavirus pandemic.
Dr Zafar Mirza said the development represents an important step forward for Pakistan on the health, economic and diplomacy fronts. He said it helps provide our citizens and frontline healthcare workers access to the latest treatment for the pandemic in a fast-track manner.