Health research funding and its output in Pakistan

Background: Health research is very important for formulating evidence-based policies. Aims: To assess the health research funding and its output in the last 5 fiscal years (2013/14 to 2018) in Pakistan. Methods: Information about health research funding was retrieved from 3 major local agencies, the Higher Education Commission, the Pakistan Science Foundation and the Pakistan Health Research Council. Details of funding from international donors were retrieved and the number of publications was estimated from Pubmed and Pakmedinet. Results: A total of 1261.6 million Pakistan rupees (Rs) (US$ 8.4 million) was spent on health research in the last 5 fiscal years, the majority from local donors (P < 0.02). Overall funding increased from Rs 104.7 million in 2013-2014 to Rs 349.8 million 2017-2018. In publications data, 24 796 original articles were published, including 16 137 Medline and 8659 non-Medline indexed. Overall there was a gradual increase in the number of publications per year, statistically significant for Medline indexed journals. Research funding had a strong correlation (Cronbach alpha=0.88) with publications. Conclusion: Health research funding directly affects health research output. The funding on health research should be considered an investment rather than expenditure.