DRAP’s Digital Licensing System Reduces Approval Time from Months to Just Days

The DRAP digital licensing system has fundamentally changed the way regulatory approvals are managed in Pakistan’s healthcare sector, delivering one of the most significant governance reforms in recent years. Processes that previously stretched over several years due to manual paperwork, fragmented workflows, and unclear timelines are now being completed within days. This transformation has not only improved operational efficiency but has also strengthened access to quality medicines and vaccines for millions of people across the country.

The system is a fully integrated online platform developed by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan to digitize licensing, registration, and approval procedures for pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and other healthcare products. It replaces outdated, paper-based methods with automated workflows that allow applications to be submitted, reviewed, tracked, and approved digitally. By centralizing documentation and communication, the platform removes long-standing bottlenecks that once caused uncertainty for manufacturers and delayed the availability of essential medicines.

One of the core goals of the DRAP digital licensing system is to eliminate unnecessary delays and discretionary hurdles. Automated processing, real-time status tracking, and improved coordination between departments have drastically reduced approval timelines. Applicants can now monitor progress online, receive clear updates, and respond promptly to regulatory queries, which has improved both accountability and compliance across the sector. This shift has also reduced opportunities for errors and inconsistencies that were common under the manual system.

The reform has been driven by strong leadership within DRAP, particularly under the direction of its chief executive, who emphasized internal restructuring alongside digitalization. By removing legacy procedures, streamlining approval pathways, and adopting international regulatory best practices, DRAP has modernized its role as a regulator while improving service delivery standards for stakeholders. These changes reflect a broader commitment to building a transparent, efficient, and credible regulatory environment comparable to global benchmarks.

Government support has played a critical role in enabling this transformation. Policy backing, institutional alignment, and technical resources provided the foundation for implementing a system-wide digital overhaul rather than isolated improvements. This coordination ensured that the digital licensing system aligned with national healthcare priorities, including improved medicine availability, patient safety, and long-term health system resilience.

The impact on medicine availability has been particularly significant. Faster approvals mean that approved drugs can enter the market more quickly, reducing shortages and improving supply chain predictability. Pharmaceutical manufacturers now have clearer timelines, allowing better planning and investment decisions. For patients and healthcare providers, this translates into more consistent access to essential and life-saving medicines.

Transparency has also improved substantially under the digital framework. Online application tracking, standardized review processes, and clearer communication have reduced uncertainty and discretionary delays. This has increased trust among pharmaceutical companies, healthcare institutions, and the public, while strengthening regulatory oversight and compliance monitoring.

Beyond medicines, the DRAP digital licensing system has enhanced vaccine regulation by improving approval efficiency and quality oversight. The authority has reported progress in monitoring vaccine components, ensuring regulatory compliance, and accelerating review processes. These improvements are vital for strengthening immunization programs and safeguarding public health.

The digital reforms also support Pakistan’s long-term objective of developing local vaccine manufacturing capacity. By providing predictable and efficient regulatory pathways, the system encourages investment in domestic production, reduces dependence on imports, and improves the country’s ability to respond quickly during health emergencies. Collaboration with provincial governments and international partners has further reinforced this strategic direction.

For pharmaceutical companies, the system offers faster approvals, lower compliance friction, and greater predictability. Healthcare providers benefit from timely access to regulated products and improved confidence in regulatory standards. For the general public, the most important outcome is improved access to safe, effective, and affordable healthcare products with fewer disruptions in supply.

While the digital licensing system marks a major milestone, DRAP has acknowledged the need for continuous improvement. Further automation, better user experience design, and ongoing capacity building within the authority remain priorities to ensure the system evolves alongside industry needs and technological advancements.

Overall, the DRAP digital licensing system represents a landmark shift in Pakistan’s healthcare regulation. By reducing approval timelines from years to days, improving transparency, and strengthening medicine and vaccine availability, it has set a new standard for public sector reform. The initiative demonstrates how technology-driven governance can directly improve public health outcomes and support national development goals.