Algerian Minister of Pharmaceutical Industry, Wessim Kouidri, announced that a plant producing the primary material for paracetamol will be completed within four months in the city of Batna. The project, undertaken by the Saidal Group, is currently 85% complete and will have an annual production capacity of 2,000 tons. Once operational, the plant will enable the local production of paracetamol's primary material in its initial and stable crystalline form, adhering to modern techniques and international standards.
The project holds significant national importance and is classified as a priority for the pharmaceutical industry sector. It aligns with the directives of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, aiming to consolidate health sovereignty and ensure the national industry's supply of pharmaceutical raw materials through local production. The plant's establishment is expected to provide approximately 700 direct jobs and over 3,000 indirect jobs, contributing to the country's employment opportunities.
The Batna plant is part of Saidal Group's strategic vision, which includes projects for producing peptides, antibiotic raw materials, cancer drugs, and their precursors, as well as human vaccines, veterinary drugs and vaccines, and ophthalmology medications. These projects, to be completed in the coming months, are being carried out by Algerian expertise, demonstrating the national workforce's ability to overcome industrial and technological challenges.
Minister Kouidri emphasized that controlling the various stages of drug production, from raw materials to the final product, is essential for ensuring national drug security. This approach also enhances the competitiveness of Algerian pharmaceutical products and opens up prospects for their export. During his visit, Kouidri inspected the project's various components and directed that work be accelerated while adhering to completion deadlines and standards.
As part of his visit, Kouidri also examined the progress of a water treatment station for Saidal Group's projects in Batna, utilizing advanced technology. Additionally, he visited the site of a future social and medical center, part of the Eastern Distribution Unit of the Saidal Group in Batna. The minister received explanations on the activities of this unit, highlighting its role in supporting the region's healthcare infrastructure.
The new plant is expected to reduce Algeria's import bill and strengthen the country's independence in producing essential drugs. By localizing the production of paracetamol's primary material, Algeria aims to ensure a stable supply of this widely used medication. The project reflects the government's efforts to bolster the national pharmaceutical industry and enhance healthcare self-sufficiency.
With the project's completion, Algeria is set to become the first country in Africa and the Arab world to produce paracetamol's primary material on a large scale. The achievement demonstrates the country's growing capabilities in the pharmaceutical sector and its commitment to advancing healthcare through domestic production and innovation.
Key points
- The plant will have an annual production capacity of 2,000 tons of paracetamol's primary material.
- The project is expected to create approximately 700 direct jobs and over 3,000 indirect jobs.
- The plant's completion is anticipated within four months, marking a significant milestone in Algeria's pharmaceutical industry.
