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Our industries

Pharmaceutical, healthcare and life sciences

We are recognised as a leading advisor for patent prosecution and litigation, corporate and licensing work in the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life sciences sectors.

Our pharmaceutical, healthcare and life sciences team stays up-to-date with the rapidly changing landscape of these innovative sectors, advising research institutions, healthcare providers, medical device companies and major pharmaceutical players on the full spectrum of their legal concerns, including regulatory issues such as product registration, clinical trial regulation and marketing authorization applications.

Our IP expertise is designed to protect all aspects of our client’s portfolios. We advise on one-off filings, prosecution and litigation and assist with all aspects of our client’s IP strategies. Our expertise encompasses the full range of patents, trademarks and copyrights. Our clients are prominent international household names with diverse IP portfolios and leading local clients with strong brands nationally and in the region.

We handle various pharmaceutical, healthcare and life sciences advisory work, including compliance, risk management, and dispute resolution.

Practice areas
  • Drugs manufacturing and distribution
  • Product licensing
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Commercial
At a glance
  • Novartis Pharma Pakistan Limited: represented the client in suits and thereafter appeals filed by ex-employees before the District Courts and the High Court of Sindh bench at Larkana.
  • Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association: represented client and obtained an interim order restraining the operation of section 7 of the import pricing policy as issued by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan on behalf of the Defending American Life Insurance Company (Pakistan) Limited (ALICO Pakistan) (now known as IGI Life Insurance Limited) and American Life Insurance Company (ALICO) in two suits filed before the High Court of Sindh at Karachi by employees of American Life Insurance Company (Pakistan) Limited, against the intended sale of ALICO’s majority shareholding in ALICO Pakistan, to IGI Insurance Limited.
  • Pfizer Corporation: represented the client in the restructuring and merger of its subsidiaries in Pakistan.
  • Searle IV Solutions: represented client, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies of Pakistan manufacturing lifesaving IV solutions, in a suit relating to whether an S.R.O granting a tax exemption applied to the material imported by Searle.
News and insights

RIAA Wins Pharmaceutical Tax Exemption Case – January 2025

RIAA Advises on Acquisition of Novartis Pakistan by Getz Group – December 2025

Speak to lead pharmaceutical, healthcare and life sciences partner Mayhar Kazi today.

News/Insight

  • PTA Anti-Dumping Duties: RIAA Barker Gillette Secures 9.50%

    In July 2025, RIAA Barker Gillette filed an application on behalf of Lotte Chemical Pakistan Limited (LCPL) before the National Tariff Commission (the Commission), seeking anti-dumping duties on imports of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) from China. T...


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  • Constitutional Challenge to NEPRA Prosumer Regulations

    RIAA Barker Gillette has filed a constitutional petition before the Islamabad High Court challenging the NEPRA Prosumer Regulations 2026. The regulations replaced Pakistan's decade-old net metering regime with a n...


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  • Force Majeure and the Gulf Conflict: What Pakistani Businesses Need to Know

    On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Iran retaliated across the Gulf, targeting energy infrastructure and effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz. QatarEnergy, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and Bahrain’s Bapc...


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  • RIAA Delivers Comprehensive Airline Regulatory Compliance Roadmap for Pakistan Market Entry

    The KSA office of a Big Four professional services firm engaged RIAA Barker Gillette to develop a comprehensive airline regulatory compliance framework for a major international airline preparing to launch operations in Pakistan. The cross-border mandate — originating from the Middle East and requiring deep Pakistan regulatory expertise — demanded cross-disciplinary analysi...


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  • Pakistan Mining Law: Lexology Panoramic Guide

    We authored the Pakistan chapter of the Lexology Panoramic Mining Guide, an essential reference for understanding the legal and regulatory framework governing Pakistan's mining sector. The comprehensive guide provides an in-depth examination of the laws, policies and opportunities shaping...


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What clients say...

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025

    "RIAA Barker Gillette has always had the most apt ability to handle, manage and steer complex and difficult matters in the right legal direction."

  • Legal 500 2025

    "We have worked with RIAA on a number of complex multi-jurisdictional matters. Throughout, they provided not only exceptional local advice but proved excellent at collaborating with firms across the world. They were instrumental in developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy."

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025

    "Our operation is complex and has many nuances, and they have helped us navigate all of them promptly and professionally."

  • Legal 500 2024

    "Very professional firm, able to provide clear, concise and constructive advice. Proven very astute in formulating overall strategies of engagement."

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024

    "RIAA is highly professional, meeting tight deadlines with the utmost proficiency. They have always come up with out-of-the-box solutions."

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