Pakistan’s Getz Pharma secured World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification for its Astola manufacturing facility on November 2, 2026, becoming the company’s second production site to receive international recognition, its executive chairman Khalid Mahmood announced on Saturday night.
Addressing hundreds of physicians, surgeons and healthcare professionals gathered at the company’s Astola facility, Khalid Mahmood described the achievement as a major milestone for Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry, saying it would strengthen international confidence in Pakistani medicines and create new opportunities for exports.
The announcement follows the earlier WHO prequalification of the company’s first manufacturing facility, which was prequalified in 2017.
Khalid Mahmood said Getz Pharma, which is Pakistan’s largest pharmaceutical company, had demonstrated that locally manufactured medicines could meet international quality requirements and compete in demanding overseas markets.
He said the latest recognition was not merely an achievement for the company but also for Pakistan, its healthcare professionals and millions of patients who depended on safe, effective and affordable medicines.
“Pakistan has the talent, expertise and industrial capacity to manufacture medicines that meet international standards,” Khalid Mahmood said, adding that greater international acceptance of Pakistani pharmaceutical products could strengthen the country’s image as a reliable manufacturing destination.
He said the Astola plant took 12 years to design and complete, became operational in 2022 and has six manufacturing facilities for different therapeutic classes.
Khalid Mahmood said WHO prequalification was important because an international regulatory body was endorsing the company’s quality control, manufacturing processes, good manufacturing practices, quality assurance systems and safety standards.
He said the company was exporting medicines to more than 45 countries and hoped the recognition of another manufacturing facility would open further opportunities in international markets, particularly in countries seeking dependable sources of quality-assured medicines.
Getz Pharma’s Deputy Managing Director Zeeshan Ahmed described the development as an important achievement, saying continued investment in modern manufacturing technology, quality assurance systems and skilled professionals was essential for improving Pakistan’s competitiveness in the global pharmaceutical market.
Zeeshan Ahmed said Getz Pharma holds around 50 percent share in Pakistan’s total pharmaceutical exports, which go to more than 45 countries. He said this additional prequalification would further boost Pakistan’s medicinal exports to countries with stringent regulations.
Zeeshan Ahmed said the company remained committed to strengthening its manufacturing capabilities and maintaining internationally recognised standards across its operations to provide patients in Pakistan and overseas with medicines of consistent quality.
Bariatric surgeon Dr Fahad Mirza and members of the Pakistan Aesthetic Surgery Society congratulated Getz Pharma’s leadership, saying such achievements could boost confidence in locally manufactured medicines.
According to the company, Getz Pharma holds a distinctive position in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry, being the country’s only pharmaceutical company to have achieved both WHO prequalification and Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) recognition, reflecting its longstanding commitment to internationally recognised manufacturing and quality standards.
Established in 1995, Getz Pharma has more than 300 products and a presence in more than 45 countries, according to the Pakistan Credit Rating Agency.
Khalid Mahmood said the company would continue investing in manufacturing technology, quality systems and international market development, with the aim of providing quality medicines to patients in Pakistan and around the world.
