Manama : Bahrain will have its first medicine factory by next year.

The factory, which is expected to operate partially by August this year, aims to supply local and GCC pharma markets with tablets and capsules.

This was announced during a meeting held between the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) CEO Dr Mariam Al Jalahma and Bahrain Pharma CEO Ibrahim Bahri.

In the meeting, Bahri said the factory will begin operating next year and will produce tablets and capsules, in addition to importing technologies from European pharmaceutical companies to manufacture generic medicines, which have become a highly demanded product in the healthcare sector, considering the steadily increasing prices of medicines.

Bahri appreciated the cooperation of NHRA in issuing the necessary permits to establish the factory.

On her part, Dr Al Jalahma said two pharmacists from the Authority were assigned to follow up on the factory and its permitting procedures.

She also revealed that the Authority is currently finalising permitting another factory that would be specialised in producing syringes.

“Both factories would sure contribute in developing the pharmaceutical industry in Bahrain and produce medicines that are short in the local and regional market,” Dr Al Jalahma said, adding that the authority is continuing to facilitate all the necessary procedures for investors in the healthcare sector, in line with directives of the wise leadership and Bahrain’s 2030 economic vision.