Damascus, July 24 (SANA) Syria’s domestic pharmaceutical industry now meets more than 80% of the country’s demand for medicines despite years of challenges, a senior Health Ministry official said on Thursday, as the government seeks to expand local production and reduce reliance on imports.
Hani al-Baghdadi, Deputy Health Minister for Pharmaceutical Affairs, told Syria’s Al-Ikhbariya TV that the ministry is working to rehabilitate damaged pharmaceutical plants, identify investment opportunities, streamline licensing procedures and provide technical support to manufacturers.
He said the government is prioritizing projects that produce specialized medicines currently imported into Syria, describing the effort as part of a broader strategy to strengthen pharmaceutical self-sufficiency and improve the country’s medicine security.
Al-Baghdadi said the ministry is also updating its regulatory framework and plans to establish a national drug regulatory authority in line with international standards to improve confidence in Syrian-made medicines and increase their access to regional and international markets.
He added that all pharmaceutical factories in Syria undergo regular inspections, including market sampling and laboratory testing to verify compliance with international pharmacopoeial standards. The ministry is also promoting adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to improve product quality, competitiveness and export potential.
On investment, al-Baghdadi said a proposed project by Syrian businessman Mohammad Kamel Sabbagh Sharbati would focus on manufacturing specialized medicines and advanced pharmaceutical technologies that are currently imported, in line with the ministry’s strategy to localize production.
Earlier on Thursday, Health Minister Musab al-Ali met Sharbati to discuss investment opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector and government incentives aimed at encouraging domestic drug manufacturing and increasing reliance on locally produced medicines.
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