Wedoany.com Report-Dec.1, Afghanistan has decided to phase out medicine imports from Pakistan over the coming three months. Following this policy, more than 10 pharmaceutical factories located in Herat province, western Afghanistan, are now manufacturing over 1,000 different types of medicines, contributing significantly to meeting domestic requirements.

On November 22, the Ministry of Finance stated that, in line with guidance from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, taxation on medicine imports from Pakistan will end after the three-month transition period. Importers have been directed to complete current transactions and identify alternative supply channels.

Local residents in Herat have expressed support for the decision, viewing it as a valuable measure to strengthen national production capacity.

Mohammad Nasir Amin, head of the Herat Chamber of Industries and Mines and deputy of the Medicine Sellers Union, confirmed that over 10 pharmaceutical plants in the province currently produce more than 1,000 medicine varieties to serve patient needs across the country. He noted that additional companies are actively increasing output to support Afghanistan’s goal of greater self-reliance in high-quality pharmaceutical products.

People in Herat report that medicines made locally, particularly those from the Herat Industrial Park, maintain good standards and already cover a substantial portion of demand.

Pharmacy owners in the city observe clear improvement in the quality of domestically produced medicines, which has built stronger public confidence and increased sales. They add that Afghan-made products are steadily gaining market share and gradually reducing reliance on imported medicines, including those previously sourced from Pakistan.

Mufti Mohammad Yousuf Saeedi, spokesman for the Herat Governor, emphasized continued backing for local manufacturers. He stated that medicines produced in the Herat Industrial Park serve as an effective alternative to imported drugs and are capable of fulfilling a large part of national requirements.