The construction of a Sh7.5 billion pharmaceutical plant in Athi River by Square Pharmaceuticals Limited is expected to reduce the cost of essential drugs in the country.
“We recognise the opportunity and the profound responsibility to address obstacles limiting access to quality affordable drugs and promote public health in the markets we operate in as we play our role in the pharmaceutical sector. Having a local pharmaceutical manufacturing plant will ensure Kenya and the region can easily access quality and affordable medicines,” said Tapan Chowdhury, Managing Director of Square Pharmaceuticals Limited.
He added that they expect the plant to be operational by mid2019. The plant will employ 1,500 people.
The local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector has the capacity to supply only 28 per cent. About 70 per cent of Kenya’s pharmaceutical demand is covered by imports with the import growing to 11.45 per cent. The plant will be constructed on 16 acres of land in the Export Processing Zone in Athi River. It will manufacture a range of drugs, which are the two billion tablets or capsules and 60 million bottles of liquid medicines for the local and export market in Africa.
It will include drugs for communicable diseases such as HIV/ Aids, malaria and tuberculosis. It will also include drugs for noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and anti-psychotic diseases.
“HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis are major concern of the region. But non-communicable diseases are becoming increasingly prominent. Our aim is to make Kenya ready with latest drugs for diabetes, cardiovascular and anti-psychotic diseases within five years of initiation of manufacturing,” said Chowdhury.
