Value of health ministry contracts up 178%
Iraq sees surge in local pharmaceutical production
BAGHDAD — Hamoudi Al-Lami, the Prime Minister’s adviser on industrial affairs, has underscored a notable rise in pharmaceutical production by Iraq’s private sector, marking a pivotal advancement for the country’s economy. Al-Lami revealed plans to enhance drug manufacturing using international technology.
In a discussion with Iraqiya TV, Al-Lami reported, “In 2023, the contracts with the Ministry of Health surged from 144 billion dinars to over 400 billion, showcasing a doubling in the volume of medications supplied by private pharmaceutical companies. The number of newly approved drugs escalated to 338, with a significant share being life-saving medicines registered for the first time.”
He further detailed, “This includes 14 types of critical antibiotics, 12 varieties of hypertension medications, and 11 diabetes treatments, among other drugs.” Al-Lami highlighted the global issue of drug counterfeiting, which complicates the identification of authentic medications. He advocated for local drug production by both government and private entities as the definitive solution to counteract counterfeit drugs, ensuring adherence to the highest international standards.
Al-Lami also emphasized the economic implications, noting, “Iraq spends around 3 billion dollars annually on drug imports. Consequently, the Cabinet’s endorsed strategy to augment drug production and technology transfer in collaboration with international companies is anticipated to yield substantial financial savings.”