THE issue of importing medicines and raw material used in the making of drugs from India continues to generate a heated debate in this country. Any import from across the border is frowned upon given the tense relationship between the two countries especially after New Delhi’s brute annexation of India-held Kashmir a few months ago. But while the subjugation of the people of occupied Kashmir is no doubt one of the sorest points in global politics, other realities reflect the extent to which one country must depend on another to keep itself moving. The latest example is the brief spat between the US and India where President Donald Trump put pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lift the ban on the export of hydroxychloroquine.

Pakistan’s own demand of medicines from India is seen in a context where the recipient is expected to be grateful to the supplier. It should not be impossible to see these imports from India, especially at this time, as trade deals, instead of viewing them as a favour. Indian exporters of drugs have a big market in Pakistan. Pakistani importers place their orders with them since it is a cheap and convenient choice. They don’t purchase other items from India simply because they can afford not to. The day drug manufacturers here find a better alternative they will move away from India. No one is doing anyone a favour even if the exercise saves lives. The prime minister’s aide Mr Shahzad Akhtar must keep this in mind as he probes the unauthorised import of Indian medicines. A report in this paper has put the number of such drugs at more than 450. There is also a strong message from drug manufacturers in the country who have warned against the banning of raw material import from India used in the making of medicines. It is said that 95pc of drugs here are manufactured from imported raw material. Of this almost 50pc is from India and the rest from China and the West. This reflects our dependence on others and points to the need for investment in research by pharma. Until better alternative local or foreign sources are found, we have no option but to buy it from the best market option available, without thinking that there are any compassionate grounds behind this bargain between us and the shopkeeper.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2020