AMMAN — Stronger regional cooperation, less red-tape and disregarding political differences are necessary to achieve pharmaceutical drug security in the Middle East and North Africa, experts said on Thursday. 

 

At the first international congress for the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA), experts agreed that enhancing investments could help the pharmaceutical sector reach its full potential. 

 

Held under the patronage of HRH Princess Sumaya, the conference seeks to offer an interactive platform where regional stakeholders can share experiences and discuss sector issues and future policies, including access to new and improved medicines and the availability of medical devices, said Hayel Obeidat, JFDA director general and president of the congress.

 

He added that regional cooperation in the production of pharmaceutical products would enhance contributions to a global market valued at $1.4 trillion. 

 

Some 900 representatives of regulatory agencies, ministries of health, local and multinational pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, health-related associations and medical service companies from 27 countries are participating in the two-day event, where 55 professional papers are being presented .

 

Deputising for Prime Minister Hani Mulki, Health Minister Mahmoud Sheyyab said the event is a chance to explore investment opportunities in Jordan, as the Kingdom enjoys stable legislation and offers development opportunities in special economic zones.

 

He highlighted the need to coordinate efforts among regional stakeholders regarding legislative and inspection processes, adding that easing regulations to encourage intra-regional cooperation will help in developing the sector.

 

Meanwhile, Arab League representative Said Al Hadi discussed efforts to create a document to unify regional manufacturing standards and inspection requirements.  

 

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of State for Investment Affairs Jawad Anani said Jordanian investments in the sector stand at $2 billion, around 40 per cent of which are outside the country.

 

He also called for greater synergy between regional productions, especially among countries with pioneering pharmaceutical products, such as Dead Sea salts in Jordan and desert plants in other countries.

 

Anani noted that the sector in the region should be ready to rise up to the challenge of providing sufficient medicine to war wounded patients and those with psychological traumas from conflicts. 

 

Fact box

 

Volume of local pharmaceutical market is $1.3 billion annually

Jordanians spend around 37 per cent of their income on food and around 7 per cent on medicine

Jordan spends 3 per cent of the gross domestic product on medicine 

Average drug expenditure increases annually by 17 per cent

Around 25 per cent of medicines produced can be wasted due to misuse

There are some 1,800 pharmacies and 82,000 food establishments in Jordan

JFDA carries out up to 200,000 inspections annually

Individual food poisoning cases dropped from 112 in 2010 to 45 in 2015 due to higher awareness and intensified inspections

In 1961, Jordan had one drug factory with a single production line producing one product that was exported to one country 

In 2016, Jordan has 24 factories with 60 production lines and exports to 82 countries

Jordan exports 80 per cent of its pharmaceutical products, with the remaining 20 per cent entering the local market

Exports of pharmaceutical products comprise 11 per cent of national exports