Pakistan is close to obtaining World Health Organisation (WHO) Level 3 certification in the coming months, a move expected to help local pharmaceutical companies expand exports to more than 150 international markets, Federal Minister for National Health Syed Mustafa Kamal said on Tuesday.

According to a Ministry of Health press release, Kamal said Pakistan was working to secure the certification, which would increase the reach of pharmaceutical exports from the current 51 countries to over 150 markets worldwide.

He was speaking at a conference in Islamabad where 10 memorandums of understanding were signed between Pakistani and Chinese pharmaceutical companies for the local production of pharmaceutical raw materials (APIs), cooperation in vaccine production, technology transfer and attracting foreign and domestic investment.

Last year, the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) said at least eight local companies had received internationally recognised accreditations for manufacturing medicines, including WHO pre-qualification and approvals from other global regulatory bodies.

The accreditations enabled local companies to access regulated markets including the United States, Europe and Gulf countries. Former PPMA chairman Tauqeer-ul-Haq said another 10 to 15 companies were expected to receive similar certifications within one to two years.

Pakistan’s pharmaceutical exports grew 34% in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the highest increase in two decades, making it the country’s fifth fastest-growing export category. Exports of locally manufactured medicines rose to $457 million in fiscal year 2025.