ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s health ministry has moved to accelerate regulatory approvals for Phase III clinical trials of a new hepatitis delta treatment, as officials warn the virus poses a growing public health threat.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal chaired a high-level meeting with representatives of Chinese pharmaceutical firm Huahui Health, which presented its therapy HH-003. The drug has already cleared Phase II international trials and holds approval in China for safety and effectiveness.
Kamal described hepatitis delta as a “unique and dangerous” virus that strikes only patients already infected with hepatitis B. He noted that more than one million Pakistanis live with the condition, and delays in diagnosis and treatment often lead to severe complications, including liver cancer.
Health officials estimate that about 20 percent of hepatitis B patients in Pakistan may also carry hepatitis delta. Limited access to routine testing continues to slow detection, compounding risks for patients. Kamal stressed that the government aims to make the medicine affordable and ensure access to safe, high-quality therapies.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan will oversee a transparent approval process aligned with international standards. Authorities agreed to fast-track Phase III trials under strict monitoring to deliver the treatment to eligible patients as quickly as possible.
The government also plans to encourage partnerships between Huahui Health and local pharmaceutical companies to support domestic production of advanced biological medicines and enable technology transfer.
This initiative reflects Pakistan’s broader push to strengthen its healthcare system by combining international expertise with local capacity, as the country confronts rising cases of hepatitis delta.
