PHARMACEUTICAL IND.
Independent Pharmaceutical Industry Seeking Investment
History of Pharmaceutics
Pharmaceutics in Iran has a background of around 100 years. The first Iranian pharmaceutical company was established in 1946 by Dr. Abidi. After that through influx of foreign and multinational companies, almost 40 pharmaceutical companies started to work in Iran.
Iran’s pharmaceutical industry, like other industries, was subject of crucial changes after Islamic revolution. Before the revolution medicines were imported commercially and production of medicines in national companies was licensed by foreign companies.
On the other hand import of medicines was related either directly to foreign agents or indirectly to domestic companies depending on foreign investments. Foreign corporations left after the revolution and this industry was subject to key changes and self-sufficiency in production of medicines became the axis of Iran’s pharmaceutical industry. Execution of Generic Plan was an important change in Iran’s pharmaceutical system. This plan stopped the unnecessary variety of medicines with same effect and drew attentions to issue of self-sufficiency and proper distribution of medicines.
Before the revolution 20% of medicines needed in Iran, was produced locally while remaining 80% was imported. At the time being 95% of country’s pharmaceutical needs are produces locally and remaining 5% include majorly specific medicines that either require sophisticated know how or volume-wise are not economically feasible. Generally, medicines of most complicated formula are being produced in the country.
Situation of Iran’s Pharmaceutical Industries
Iran’s pharmaceutical industry started in 1940s, when medicines and pharmacies were of a different form. Imported raw materials and some of local natural medicines were mixed according to doctors’ formulation and sold. Presently, this industry has developed extensively in product level as well as operation level. Influx of scaled foreign companies granting attorney ship to local companies, and fruitfulness of efforts in faculty of pharmaceutics are the two main reasons for improvement of this industry during this time. Combination of these two incidents made Iran’s pharmaceutical industry grow, and although foreigners left the country, Iranian managers managed to handle the industry well.
65 Pharmaceutical Plants Active in Iran
Presently, there are 65 active pharmaceutical plants in Iran. All these plants are 100% Iranian and there is no foreign investment in pharmaceutical companies. Plans have been prepared aiming to produce 100% of medicines needed in the country locally. The plants produce medicines of various forms and have been able to increase Iran’s share of producing medicines needed in the country from 25% (before the revolution) to 97%.
