Firm invests sh40b on liquid drug production
Oct 25, 2009
BARELY a year after Ugandans witnessed the launch of the Luzira-based Quality Chemicals Pharmaceuticals that manufactures anti-retroviral drugs, another investor has come in to manufacture liquid medication also known as parenteral drugs.
By David Ssempijja
BARELY a year after Ugandans witnessed the launch of the Luzira-based Quality Chemicals Pharmaceuticals that manufactures anti-retroviral drugs, another investor has come in to manufacture liquid medication also known as parenteral drugs.
Parenteral drugs are in fluid form and are administered through the veins. They are prescribed to patients with cases such as trauma, stroke, loss of blood, dehydration, vomiting and general body weakness.
The development has seen Abacus Parenterals Drugs Ltd (APDL) establish a sh40b manufacturing complex in Mukono for exclusively parenterals production, making it the first of its kind in the Great Lakes Region.
The move would lower the country’s health care costs. APDL was born out of Abacus Pharma Africa Ltd that has, for some years, been importing pharmaceutical drugs and surgical equipment into Uganda.
Ramesh Babu, the managing director, says: “We recognise how costly the health sector can be if it predominantly relies on imported facilities, we are aware of the costs and the consequences.â€
Ramesh says parenteral drugs are vital in reviving human lives, especially those who need drip.
“We have been buying parenterals from local dealers who import them from India and France. With the locally manufactured medicine, there will be a considerable reduction in price,†Joseph Katuluba, a pharmaceutical store operator on William Street said.
Emmanuel Kasumba, the marketing officer of Pharma Africa Ltd, says the locally manufactured parenterals are more effective and affordable.
For example, a 500ml piece of dextrose 5% and Norinal Salive 0.9% of 500ml used to cost sh1,200 but the price has fallen to sh800; Rigers Lactate 500ml which was at sh1,500 now costs sh850, 10ml water for injection is down to sh60 from sh80.
The company also produces compound sodium lactate intravenous infusion, sodium chloride intravenous infusion, darrow’s solution, and glucose intravenous, fluconazole infusion, paracetamol infusion plus various eye/ear and nasal drop compositions.
The drugs are also used in Rwanda, Burundi , Tanzania , Kenya, DRC, and Southern Sudan.
BARELY a year after Ugandans witnessed the launch of the Luzira-based Quality Chemicals Pharmaceuticals that manufactures anti-retroviral drugs, another investor has come in to manufacture liquid medication also known as parenteral drugs.
Parenteral drugs are in fluid form and are administered through the veins. They are prescribed to patients with cases such as trauma, stroke, loss of blood, dehydration, vomiting and general body weakness.
The development has seen Abacus Parenterals Drugs Ltd (APDL) establish a sh40b manufacturing complex in Mukono for exclusively parenterals production, making it the first of its kind in the Great Lakes Region.
The move would lower the country’s health care costs. APDL was born out of Abacus Pharma Africa Ltd that has, for some years, been importing pharmaceutical drugs and surgical equipment into Uganda.
Ramesh Babu, the managing director, says: “We recognise how costly the health sector can be if it predominantly relies on imported facilities, we are aware of the costs and the consequences.â€
Ramesh says parenteral drugs are vital in reviving human lives, especially those who need drip.
“We have been buying parenterals from local dealers who import them from India and France. With the locally manufactured medicine, there will be a considerable reduction in price,†Joseph Katuluba, a pharmaceutical store operator on William Street said.
Emmanuel Kasumba, the marketing officer of Pharma Africa Ltd, says the locally manufactured parenterals are more effective and affordable.
For example, a 500ml piece of dextrose 5% and Norinal Salive 0.9% of 500ml used to cost sh1,200 but the price has fallen to sh800; Rigers Lactate 500ml which was at sh1,500 now costs sh850, 10ml water for injection is down to sh60 from sh80.
The company also produces compound sodium lactate intravenous infusion, sodium chloride intravenous infusion, darrow’s solution, and glucose intravenous, fluconazole infusion, paracetamol infusion plus various eye/ear and nasal drop compositions.
The drugs are also used in Rwanda, Burundi , Tanzania , Kenya, DRC, and Southern Sudan.