Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal inaugurates HSA’s School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Islamabad to strengthen pharmacy education, research, and prevention-focused healthcare.
New School Launched at Health Services Academy
Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal has inaugurated the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Health Services Academy in Islamabad. The launch has been described as an important step for pharmaceutical education, public health research and health workforce development in Pakistan.
The new school comes at a time when Pakistan is facing growing pressure on its healthcare system. Hospitals, public clinics and specialist services continue to deal with a rising burden of disease, while the country also needs more trained professionals in pharmacy, regulation, research and public health management. By opening a dedicated school in this field, HSA aims to support both academic learning and practical policy work.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mustafa Kamal said Pakistan has the talent, institutional capacity and professional expertise needed to build a stronger healthcare system from within. He said the country must focus on producing competent doctors, pharmacists and public health professionals who can serve society with integrity, professionalism and a clear sense of public responsibility.
Minister Calls for Prevention-Focused Healthcare
A major part of the minister’s message focused on prevention. He said Pakistan cannot solve its health problems only by expanding hospitals or treating people after they become sick. Instead, the country must invest more in primary healthcare, disease prevention, health promotion and community-level services.
Mustafa Kamal said the national goal should be to keep people healthy and prevent them from becoming patients. This approach is especially important for Pakistan, where preventable diseases are placing a heavy burden on families and government resources. Diabetes, heart disease, hepatitis, maternal health issues and other public health challenges require early action, better awareness and stronger frontline health systems.
For ordinary citizens, a prevention-focused model means easier access to basic health advice, early screening, vaccination, safe medicine use and better guidance on healthy lifestyles. For the government, it means reducing long-term treatment costs and improving the overall quality of life. The minister said a strong health system is also linked with economic stability and sustainable national development.
Why Pharmaceutical Sciences Matter for Pakistan
Pharmaceutical sciences play a central role in modern healthcare. Pharmacists are not only connected with medicines, but also with patient safety, drug quality, regulation, research, public health campaigns and rational use of medicines. In Pakistan, where medicine access and quality remain important public concerns, stronger pharmacy education can help improve health outcomes.
The School of Pharmaceutical Sciences is expected to support training in areas linked to medicine development, safe prescribing practices, pharmacy services, drug regulation and health systems strengthening. This can help create professionals who understand both scientific knowledge and real public health needs.
The launch may also support policy development. Pakistan needs experts who can contribute to medicine regulation, supply chain management, pharmacovigilance, disease prevention programs and evidence-based health planning. A stronger academic base in pharmaceutical sciences can help institutions develop better research and practical solutions for local healthcare problems.
HSA Aims to Strengthen Research and Workforce
Health Services Academy has already played a role in public health education and research in Pakistan. With the addition of the new school, the institution is expected to expand its contribution to pharmacy, health regulation and workforce development. This is important because the country needs professionals who can work across hospitals, public health departments, universities, regulatory bodies and the pharmaceutical sector.
Prof. Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan said pharmaceutical sciences are a vital pillar of the healthcare sector. He said the new school would strengthen HSA’s academic, research and policy contributions in pharmacy, public health, regulation and health systems development.
The focus on an ethical and prevention-oriented workforce also reflects a wider need in the country. Pakistan does not only need more healthcare workers; it needs trained professionals who can guide patients responsibly, protect communities, promote safe medicine use and support public health reforms. The new school is therefore being positioned as more than an academic department. It is expected to become a platform for education, research and policy support.
Expected Impact on Public Health Education
The inauguration of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences is likely to benefit students, researchers, healthcare institutions and policymakers. For students, it opens another pathway to build careers in pharmacy and public health. For the health sector, it can help produce skilled professionals who understand the link between medicine, prevention and patient care.
The development also fits into Pakistan’s broader need to modernize healthcare education. As diseases become more complex and healthcare costs rise, the country needs institutions that can train professionals for future challenges. Pharmaceutical education, public health research and regulation are all connected with safer treatment, better prevention and more reliable health services.
The success of the new school will depend on strong academic programs, practical training, research partnerships and continued support from health authorities. If implemented effectively, it can help strengthen Pakistan’s healthcare system and contribute to a more prevention-focused, patient-centered approach in the years ahead.
