PM Shehbaz Launches Digital Medical Device Licensing System in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday inaugurated a groundbreaking digital platform for the online licensing and registration of medical devices, significantly streamlining the approval process across Pakistan’s healthcare sector.

Speaking at the launch ceremony held in Islamabad, the Prime Minister highlighted that the new system is designed to make the licensing process faster, more efficient, and fully transparent. He said the digitized framework marks a major leap forward in healthcare governance and public service delivery.

The innovative system promises to reduce the medical device registration timeline from several months to just 20 days, cutting red tape and eliminating manual bottlenecks. This initiative aligns with the government’s broader digital transformation agenda, aimed at improving public access to health-related services.

Syed Mustafa Kamal, the Federal Minister of National Health Services; regulations and coordinations clarified that the system is fully automated, and applicants can now make licensing request completely on-line. “There will be no manual processing or human interference,” he noted. “All licenses will be issued digitally, ensuring speed, accuracy, and integrity.”

The new platform is expected to boost investor confidence in Pakistan’s medical equipment industry by simplifying regulatory hurdles and aligning domestic procedures with international best practices. Moreover, the move is set to enhance transparency and accountability within the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).

Officials say the system is live and ready for use by manufacturers, importers, and distributors of medical devices. It will handle applications for both new licenses and renewals, with real-time status tracking available to applicants.

This reform marks a crucial milestone in modernizing healthcare regulation in Pakistan and is being hailed as a step toward more tech-driven, citizen-focused governance.