Over 20% drugs manufactured in Tunisia, exported

Over 20% of the drugs manufactured in Tunisia are exported to several countries, including Libya, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Europe, Director General of the Healthcare Services Investment Promotion Unit at the Health Ministry Nadia Fenina said on Friday. The value of these exports varies between TND 250 and 300 million, she told the media on the sidelines of the 1st International Days of Generic Medicines and Biosimilars held in Tunis. "The goal is to reach TND 1,400 million within four years," she indicated. Fenina pointed out that this goal had been set based on the results of a strategic study, which had shown that it would be possible to promote exports of medicines by implementing a number of measures, such as shortening the time it takes to obtain marketing authorisation (MA), adjusting prices and stepping up communication. Most of the drugs produced in Tunisia are generics (70% of which are used in transactions) and biosimilars, which are also exported, she underlined. Tunisia has th e necessary know-how and skills to step up investment and exports in the pharmaceutical sector, she underlined. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse