FICO Pharmaceutical Industries, an Emirati company registered in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, plans to start operating its factory before the end of this year, to supply the pharmaceutical industry in the country with investments amounting to 300 million dirhams.
Production operations will enhance the local capabilities of the industrial sector in general, and the pharmaceutical industry in particular, which constitutes an important step on the road to self-sufficiency in products of an increasing strategic nature, which was confirmed by current events in the world today after the outbreak of the new Corona epidemic (Covid-19).
Fico Investments
A member of the Board of Directors of "Fico" for pharmaceutical industries, Mohammed bin Omair, told "Emirates Today" that "Fico", which was established in 2014, invested about 300 million dirhams in the project, and that more than 90% of the factory, which has already been completed It is considered one of the largest pharmaceutical factories in the country in terms of production capacities that follow international quality standards.
Bin Omair confirmed that the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to raise the level of productivity and competitiveness of the medical industry sector in the country, strengthens the industrial side in the pharmaceutical field, and the medical supplies and equipment sector.
He pointed out that «FICO» seeks to coordinate with the responsible authorities concerned with the health sector, to achieve the goals of the state and the leadership, in increasing the contribution of local production in the pharmaceutical industry, and to meet the needs of the health sector of the medicines it needs, and to enhance health security with high-quality locally-made pharmaceutical products, at prices Less than those imported from abroad.
Call for coordination
Bin Omair called for finding full coordination between all the actors in the pharmaceutical industry, to discuss how to cover the local needs of medicines, produce what the health sector needs, and promote self-sufficiency in the pharmaceutical industry.
He stressed the importance of all parties working to support this vital and important sector, especially in terms of helping it to reduce the cost of production, so that it can compete in the local market, and provide the necessary funds to help it penetrate foreign markets, pointing out that local manufacturers are looking to work with the authorities Concerned to drive this vital sector to growth and development.
Emirati role
He said that the UAE has all the capabilities that enable it to play a pivotal role in the pharmaceutical industry in the Middle East and the world, and to achieve self-sufficiency in the local product with high specifications and quality. It also has the manufacturing, professional and scientific competencies necessary to push the sector, as well as the necessary international partnerships, to enhance its capabilities And to achieve its strategic, health and economic goals.
Bin Omair praised the support provided by the Ministry of Health and Community Protection, and its assistant undersecretary for public health policy and licenses, Dr. Amin Al-Amiri, who always affirms that the ministry supports distinguished pharmaceutical industries, including biological industries and innovative medicines at the level of the UAE and the world.
Research team
Bin Omair revealed that the research and development team of the company has finished preparing 35 varieties of medicines and ointments, to join their production list during the next two years, pointing out that these pharmacological classes cover treatment protocols for many neurological diseases, heart diseases, chest and skin diseases, and children's diseases, And antibiotics.
Bin Omair said: “We look forward to cooperation and coordination with the health actors in the country, within the framework of strengthening the state’s strategy for health security, and strengthening the strategic stockpile of its drug needs as directed by our leadership,” noting that the current situation represents an opportunity to support an important industry, such as the pharmaceutical industries And pharmaceuticals, especially that the UAE is able to achieve a bright future for this important strategic industry, and to provide local production, in a way that enhances its self-sufficiency in medicine.
He pointed out that "Fico" is expected to benefit from its strategic location in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, in terms of its proximity to the largest port and the largest airport in the region, which enhances its ability to export its production abroad and import its raw materials needs for the industry.
One billion tablets and capsules
The factory will adopt Emirati drugs of international quality at prices less than their counterparts, while applying all the required local or international production quality standards.
The company estimates its production capacity of drugs is about one billion tablets and drug capsules, 15 million bottles of medical drugs, and five million tubes of ointments and medical creams, which reduces a large proportion of the dependence on import from abroad.
FICO will work to provide locally-made safe, high-quality drugs that are produced in a facility that is the most recent of its kind in terms of using the latest state-of-the-art drug manufacturing technology in the world, and in accordance with a strict system, to ensure quality throughout all stages of manufacturing, by complying with regulations The strict issued by the Ministry of Health and Community Protection in the Emirates, and other international industrial standards.
The Emirates has the potential to play a pivotal role in the pharmaceutical industry in the region.