National Pharmaceutical Industry after the Government’s Adoption of Pharmaceutical Localization in Iraq

Baghdad-INA
 
18 pharmaceutical plants are currently under construction, reaching various stages of completion, with some at 98%.
 
A statement by the Prime Minister's Media Office received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) stated,”76 new requests from the private sector to establish new pharmaceutical plants for medicines and medical supplies, utilizing modern technology.”
 
By the end of 2022, there were 24 pharmaceutical plants in Iraq, including Samarra Pharmaceuticals, operating at low capacities and covering only about 10% of the country’s medicine needs, since the first pharmaceutical plant was established in 1956.
 
The number of contracts signed with the Ministry of Health for 2023 amounted to 554 contracts, worth 408 billion dinars, and 251 contracts so far in 2024, worth 454 billion dinars, compared to 144 billion dinars in 2022.
 
1212 domestically produced medicines were registered by the end of 2022.
 
The number of domestically registered medicines has doubled after the pharmaceutical industry localization program, reaching 1725 medicines, including newly produced medicines for the first time, such as:
 
28 medicines for treating high blood pressure.
 
28 medicines for treating type 2 diabetes.
 
24 types of antibiotics.
 
14 new antibiotics registered for the first time.
 
 
The transfer of technology for essential medicines has begun:
 
8 biosimilar medicines for treating rare diseases.
 
18 types of cancer medications.
 
 
The coverage of locally produced medicines has exceeded 35%, compared to 10% when the pharmaceutical localization program began.