With the launch of the Digital Licensing System, healthtech founders in Pakistan just got handed a long-overdue boost. Here’s what it means for you.
If you’ve ever tried navigating Pakistan’s medical device registration process, especially as a healthtech startup, you know the word “sluggish” doesn’t even begin to describe it. For years, healthtech startups and established players alike have struggled with opaque procedures, long wait times, and a regulatory maze that choked innovation before it could breathe
But things are changing.
On July 21, 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif officially launched the Digital System for Licensing and Registration of Medical Devices, a significant move toward streamlining the country’s healthtech ecosystem.
Why this is a big deal for startups
Whether you’re building Pakistan’s next AI-powered diagnostics platform or working on affordable biomedical devices for rural clinics, licensing hurdles have probably slowed you down or stopped you entirely.
This new digital system, spearheaded by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), promises:
- Online registration for everything from wheelchairs to MRI machines.
- Decision timelines are reduced to 20 days (as opposed to months or even years).
- Zero human contact – certificates available digitally, no visits to DRAP.
- Transparent, merit-based evaluations, minimizing “gatekeeping.”
What startup founders should do next:
- Revisit your go-to-market strategy
If your healthtech solution was on pause due to regulatory red tape, it might be time to hit resume. - Start prepping your compliance files
Ensure your devices meet international and DRAP standards so you can move fast once the system fully rolls out. - Engage with the system early
Be part of the first wave of digital applicants. Your feedback could shape how the system evolves. - Collaborate with public partners
As Health Minister Mustafa Kamal highlighted, public-private partnerships are on the government’s radar. Find opportunities where your startup can plug in.
The Bigger Picture: Building Pakistan’s Healthtech Economy
Pakistan’s healthcare needs are vast rising populations, waterborne diseases, and a fragmented healthcare infrastructure. But these gaps are also entry points for innovation. The government’s renewed focus on digital health infrastructure is more than just policy it’s an invitation to innovate.
For startups willing to climb those mountains, this digital transformation could be the rope you’ve been waiting for.
FAQ
The digital system launched by PM Shehbaz Sharif enables online licensing and registration of medical devices via DRAP. It reduces decision time to 20 days and eliminates manual paperwork and physical visits.
Healthtech startups can now register their devices quickly and transparently, allowing them to go to market faster. The system simplifies compliance, reduces delays, and lowers costs associated with bureaucratic red tape.
According to the government, the system covers all medical devices, from basic equipment like wheelchairs to advanced machines like MRIs. Applications can be submitted entirely online.