29/08/2026
: As a follow-up to earlier discussions on improving access to medicines for hemophilia & rare bleeding disorders, Dr Saif ur Rehman, Director and Federal Government Analyst, Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL), Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan - DRAP, visited the Hemophilia Welfare Society Karachi Pakistan Head Office and its established Comprehensive Hemophilia Treatment Centre at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital to gain firsthand insight into HWSK's services and its role in strengthening haemophilia care.
During the visit, Dr Saif met HWSK's clinical and departmental experts to understand the mechanism of patient care, treatment and support services, with particular interest in HWSK's research, data and initiatives addressing gaps in bleeding-disorder care.
A detailed briefing at the HWSK Head Office was attended by Founder and CEO Raheel Ahmed Khan, Medical Director Prof. Dr Munira Borhany, Patron Anis ur Rehman and Dr Sarfaraz Hussain Jaffery. Dr Heeba Qureshi, Abbasi Ali, and Dr. Nida presented HWSK's contribution to establishing dedicated haemophilia wards and treatment centres, particularly at the district level, to strengthen access to specialised care within Pakistan's public healthcare system.
The briefing highlighted the continuing gap between the need for and availability of Clotting Factor Concentrates (CFCs), von Willebrand factor, and rare clotting-factor products in Pakistan. HWSK explained that World Federation of Hemophilia WFH humanitarian aid remains a vital lifeline for patients in Pakistan, but currently meets only around 15 per cent of the existing demand for CFCs, leaving a substantial treatment gap.
The Sindh Government's support through the SINDH Blood Transfusion Authority for the haemophilia prophylaxis programme, and the Balochistan government, was also highlighted as an important initiative that is helping expand access to advanced preventive treatment for eligible patients in Pakistan.
Despite these efforts, a large proportion of people with haemophilia, von Willebrand disease and rare factor deficiencies remain dependent on substandard or less appropriate treatment because of limited and inconsistent access to specific clotting-factor therapies. Delays in obtaining the right treatment can result in recurrent bleeding, progressive joint damage and deformity, disability, life-threatening internal and intracranial bleeding, emergency hospitalisation and a significant burden on patients, families and the healthcare system.
The discussions were highly productive and provided an opportunity for DRAP and HWSK to strengthen joint efforts to improve the accessibility and availability of essential bleeding-disorder medicines, including addressing regulatory and import-related challenges.
A key focus was the need to accelerate progress towards plasma fractionation in Pakistan. Both sides expressed determination to explore opportunities for joint work, awareness, stakeholder engagement and seminars to promote greater understanding of bleeding disorders and build momentum towards a sustainable national plasma-fractionation pathway.
Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination Islamabad
Prime Minister's Office of Pakistan
Sindh Government Sindh Chief Minister House Sindh Health Department Syed Murad Ali Shah
World Federation of Hemophilia Pakistan Pharmacists Association -PPA Sindh Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry Health Matters Media
