Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry has reached an important milestone as ATCO Laboratories Group becomes the first company in the country to secure PIC/S certification for a sterile manufacturing facility producing injectable medicines and ophthalmic products. The achievement marks a significant step forward for the local pharmaceutical sector and strengthens Pakistan’s position in the global healthcare market.
The certification was awarded under the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S), a globally recognized framework that promotes harmonized Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards among more than 50 regulatory authorities worldwide. Compliance with these standards demonstrates that a manufacturing facility meets rigorous international requirements for quality, safety, and operational excellence.
According to ATCO officials, the certification covers the company’s sterile production lines used for manufacturing injections and eye drops. These products require highly controlled manufacturing environments and strict quality assurance measures, making sterile production one of the most challenging areas in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The accreditation opens new opportunities for ATCO to expand its presence in regulated international markets. The company has identified regions such as Southeast Asia, Africa, and Central Asia as key export destinations and has already shipped certified pharmaceutical products to Malaysia following the approval.
Industry experts view the development as a positive signal for Pakistan’s pharmaceutical exports, which have shown remarkable growth in recent years. The country’s pharmaceutical sector has increasingly focused on meeting international quality standards to compete in regulated markets where demand for reliable and affordable medicines continues to grow.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has also been working to facilitate international recognition of local manufacturers. Regulatory reforms and structured compliance programs introduced by the authority are helping pharmaceutical companies pursue global certifications and improve their competitiveness in export markets.
ATCO has indicated that its next objective is to obtain approvals from additional international regulators, including authorities in the United Kingdom and the European Union. Such certifications would further enhance the company’s ability to supply medicines to highly regulated healthcare systems around the world.
The achievement is particularly noteworthy because sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing requires advanced technology, sophisticated cleanroom infrastructure, and stringent contamination-control procedures. Successfully meeting these requirements demonstrates the growing technical capabilities of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry.
As more local manufacturers pursue certifications from international organizations and regulatory agencies, Pakistan is expected to strengthen its position as an emerging pharmaceutical exporter. The success of ATCO Laboratories highlights the industry’s potential to expand beyond traditional markets and contribute more significantly to the country’s export earnings.
With pharmaceutical exports recording strong growth and companies increasingly aligning with global standards, Pakistan’s healthcare manufacturing sector appears well-positioned for a new phase of international expansion. ATCO’s PIC/S certification serves as a powerful example of how investment in quality and compliance can unlock opportunities in some of the world’s most demanding pharmaceutical markets.