Iran (IMNA) - A key factor in achieving pharmaceutical self-sufficiency is access to active ingredients used in drug manufacturing. Iranian drugmakers currently produce 70% of the raw materials required for medicine production. However, to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), Iran still relies on key starting materials (KSMs), most of which are imported.
The production of KSMs represents the most added value in the pharmaceutical supply chain. By enhancing its capabilities to produce KSMs domestically, Iran can save substantial foreign currency and increase the value generated within its pharmaceutical sector. Officials have stated that the current strategy focuses on developing this capability to ensure that active ingredient production is cost-effective, sustainable, and profitable.
Recently, officials from Balkh province in Afghanistan announced discussions with an Iranian delegation to establish a pharmaceutical factory that would fulfill 90% of local medicinal needs.
China and India dominate the global pharmaceutical sector, serving as major suppliers of APIs and generic drugs, with the two countries providing up to 80% of the APIs imported by the United States. Iranian drugmakers assert that Iran has a competitive edge over these countries in KSM production due to its abundant petroleum and petrochemical resources, which are essential for most synthetic medicines.
Iran has already initiated full-scale production of KSMs for its most commonly used antibiotics. This development is crucial amid severe U.S. sanctions that have led to shortages of life-saving medical supplies and drugs in the country. For instance, propylene glycol, a vital raw material for manufacturing consumer products in medical and food sectors, is now being produced domestically.
With suitable technical expertise and resources, Iran aims to position itself as a significant player in KSM production, especially given its proximity to a neighboring market of approximately 400 million people.
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