Economic Update – Baghdad
On Sunday, Hammoudi Al-Lami, the Prime Minister for Industry, Development, and the Private Sector, announced that Iraq currently hosts 32 operational pharmaceutical factories, while procedures are ongoing for an additional 125 drug projects that are awaiting approval. He also highlighted the registration of new pharmaceuticals for conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension to ensure drug security in the country.
In statements made to the press, Al-Lami emphasized the rapid expansion of the pharmaceutical sector in Iraq, indicating that 32 factories are presently functioning at full capacity, an increase from just 22 factories that were operating at lower production levels before the establishment of the current government.
Furthermore, he noted that 18 additional pharmaceutical factories are under construction, with some nearing completion at a rate of 95%. There are also 125 applications in the pipeline for obtaining official permits to establish new factories focused on medicinal and medical supplies across various provinces, thereby enhancing national production capabilities.
Al-Lami also reported that since the initiation of the government’s pharmaceutical industry resettlement program, 677 new drug formulations have been registered.
Among these new registrations are 42 types of antibiotics, covering all necessary pharmaceutical forms and categories, along with 34 hypertension treatments, 29 varieties for diabetes, and 24 options for cancer and blood disorders.
He stressed that domestic factories manufacture drugs in accordance with the annual tenders issued by the Ministry of Health, catering to the needs of health institutions. This includes medications designated for chronic diseases and antibiotics, as well as specific treatments for blood-related conditions and cancer, which are supplied exclusively to the Ministry of Health. Public pharmacies also carry locally produced drugs, promoting greater reliance on the national industry.
Al-Lami reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the national pharmaceutical sector, highlighting its critical role in achieving pharmaceutical security while reducing dependency on imports, all while ensuring the availability of high-quality medications at competitive prices.
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