The Ministry of Health announced on Monday that funding for pharmaceutical factories has increased to 44% this year. The ministry also noted significant leaps in local production volume and confirmed that Iraq aims to be the first regional producer of 20 advanced pharmaceutical materials.
The ministry's spokesperson, Seif Al-Badr, stated that "the current government has prioritized the pharmaceutical industry and adopted a series of decisions that have contributed to a noticeable development in this sector, both in terms of production volume and the development of existing factories.
Al-Badr added that "during the past two years of the current government's tenure, the number of factories producing medicines and medical supplies has increased to 32, including 8 newly inaugurated factories. Additionally, 18 factories are under construction, and the total number is expected to reach 50 soon.
Increase in Production
Al-Badr explained that "the government's efforts have resulted in significant leaps in local production volume. In 2022, the number of local pharmaceutical products was 167, which increased to 201 in 2023 and reached 245 products by October 2024, including 20 specialized treatments for cancer.
He noted that "within two months of the current government taking office in late 2022, 104 contracts were signed. In 2023, there was a substantial increase with 591 contracts signed, and 510 contracts were signed in 2024 up to October." He pointed out that "the funding ratio for national factories increased from 26% in 2022 to 30% in 2023 and reached 44% in 2024, reflecting the government's ongoing commitment to supporting the national industry.
Protection and Encouragement of Advanced Technology
Al-Badr emphasized that "the government and the Ministry of Health have adopted encouraging policies for the local industry to localize pharmaceutical production. These include granting a 10-year investment protection for all companies willing to transfer the technology for producing biological drugs, blood derivatives, and cancer and hormonal treatments, aiming to enhance local production and reduce reliance on foreign imports.
He pointed out that "this decision included all factories that initiate the production of any cancer drugs, biological products, blood derivatives, or hormonal treatments." Al-Badr clarified that "224 materials require special, complex, and advanced production techniques." He noted that "Iraq will be a pioneer in producing them, becoming the first manufacturer in the Middle East to produce at least 20 of the 224 materials.