Pakistan to start manufacturing COVID-19 treatment drug Remdesivir: Dr Zafar

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza has said that Pakistan will soon start manufacturing breakthrough COVID-19 treatment drug Remdesivir. Addressing a news conference, Dr Zafar said that a Pakistani pharmaceutical company has concluded its voluntary licensing agreement with US pharmaceutical company Gilead for the manufacture and sale of Remdesivir. The special assistant said Pakistan is among the five countries with which the US company has signed licensing agreement for manufacturing the drug. He also confirmed that production of the medicine can commence as early as eight weeks after the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained. Dr Zafar Mirza said that Pakistan will also be able to export the medicine to 127 countries facing coronavirus pandemic. On the occasion, Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood said the local manufacture of Remdesivir represents an important export opportunity for the country's pharmaceutical sector at a critical period. He said export of the drug to the developing world at this time of need will also position Pakistan to play its rightful role on the global stage of public health.