Cadila launches drug production

By Andualem Sisay
Capital

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - A new 100 mln birr medicine factory, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited, which is operating in 43 countries throughout the world, has begun production in Akaki-Kaliti sub city.

The factory is an Indo-Ethiopian joint venture with local company ALMETA Impex and Indian parent company Cadila Pharmaceuticals, with the expatriates holding the majority shares. According to Mr. Nalini Nayak, Marketing Manager of Cadila, the factory will be the first of its kind in East Africa, when it will soon be qualified by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA).
Cadila India has recently qualified to the World health Organization (WHO) Good Management Practice (GMP). "Ethiopia has a very good potential market, which is not yet explored," said Mr.Nayak. Besides, we are happy to work in Ethiopia; where there is a strict drug regulation. It is difficult to find such an atmosphere in other African countries," he said.
Nearly 200 employees have begun operations at CADILA Pharmaceuticals. Anti biotics, anti-malarias, anti-acids, anti-fungal and multivitamins are the medicines that the company is currently producing. Anti-tuberculosis and anti-AIDS drugs are also being planed for production.
In addition to local demand, CADILA Pharmaceuticals will also export its products to neighboring markets such as Kenya, Sudan, Uganda and Djibouti.
Sunshine, Addis, Bethlehem, Pharmacur and Epharm Pharmaceuticals are the existing factories engaged in medicine production. The opening of CADILA Pharmaceuticals will raise the number of medicine factories to six.