GSK And Neopharma Partner To Accelerate Supply Of Medicines To Patients In The UAE
The global science-led healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Neopharma, a leading global pharmaceutical company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), announced today the launch of their new partnership creating localization and manufacturing opportunities in the UAE. The partnership establishes Neopharma as GSK’s third-party manufacturer for handling the Secondary Packaging process (final manufacturing stage) for six of GSK’s most highly demanded medicine brands in the UAE.
The localization of production means that GSK will be able to procure, package and supply those medications more quickly to the UAE market, ensuring a steadier and more seamless supply, enabling a more efficient response to address any emerging supply gaps. The move will also positively impact patients by ensuring they are able to access the GSK medicines that doctors prescribe for them.
The ceremony, held at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi, was officiated by His Excellency Patrick Moody, the British Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, and by Sameh Elfangary, General Manager at GSK in the Gulf, and Dr B.R. Shetty, Founder and Chairman of Neopharma. In attendance were also high-ranking officials and representatives, including His Excellency Khalfan AlSuwaidi, Industrial Property Director at Ministry of Economy, and Her Excellency Dr Ola Ghaleb Al Ahdab, Pharmaceutical Advisor at Drug Department, Ministry of Health and Prevention.
The UK Ambassador to the UAE, His Excellency Mr. Patrick Moody, said “I am very proud to see the commitment of one of our most important UK innovator Pharma companies to the UAE vision. This will solidify important partnerships working with the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention”. He added “This links the strategies and development visions of both countries, especially the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021, which aims to strengthen the status of the country as a major commercial and logistical hub in the region, and the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Export Strategy, which aims to strengthen the UK’s position as a global exporter”.
Sameh Elfangary, General Manager at GSK in the Gulf, said: “At GSK, we are committed to ensuring the quality, safety and reliable supply of our products. The collaboration will be fully operational by early 2020 in the UAE and will cover medications that are in high demand locally. This operation will help ensure continuity in supply and improved patient access to GSK medicines in the market.”
He continued: “We are grateful to have partnered with a trusted pharmaceutical company with a large global footprint, such as Neopharma, and are already exploring possibilities for expansion plans within the next two years.”
Dr B.R. Shetty, Founder and Chairman of Neopharma, added: “It is a landmark to have a collaboration with another leading innovator company such as GSK as a partner. We have become a partner of choice for MNCs over a period of time, which reaffirms Neopharma’s commitment to maintain global quality and manufacturing standards that are compliant to stringent regulatory requirements.”
This partnership is reinforcing UAE’s vision to become a pharmaceutical manufacturing hub in the region.
