The national campaign to support Lebanese pharmaceutical manufacturing was launched at the National Museum in Beirut, under the patronage and in the presence of First Lady Naameh Aoun, with the participation of the ministers of health and industry.
The campaign aims to strengthen confidence in locally manufactured medicines and support a sector that has kept up production and investment through crises.
Lebanese medicine expands its presence
Carole Abi Karam, head of the Syndicate of Pharmaceutical Industries in Lebanon, explained that the share of Lebanese medicine in the local market has risen from 7% before 2019 to around 30%.
She added that factories produce about 1,600 medicines and cover nearly 75% of the market’s needs for essential medicines, chronic disease medications and the most in-demand products.
Serum manufacturers also continue to fully meet hospitals’ needs for serums.
Alongside growth in local production, Lebanese factories have expanded their presence in Arab, African and European markets.
One Lebanese factory has begun production in Saudi Arabia.
Another factory has received European quality accreditation, paving the way to export its Lebanese-made medicines to European markets.
For her part, Naameh Aoun called for giving approved Lebanese medicines that meet medical standards the confidence they deserve.
She also stressed the role of doctors and pharmacists in educating patients.
And the importance of oversight and transparency in cementing this confidence.
She also called for a partnership between the state, factories, universities and health institutions to support research and innovation and open new markets.
The campaign hopes that the sector’s growth will pave the way for developing more specialized treatments.
It also opens opportunities for young Lebanese to work and conduct research in their own country.
