President to open Abacus drug factory
Feb 13, 2010
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni will today commission the $20m (sh39b) factory owned by Abacus Parenteral Drugs Ltd (APDL), the biggest producers of intravenous drugs in the Great Lakes region.
By David Ssempijja
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni will today commission the $20m (sh39b) factory owned by Abacus Parenteral Drugs Ltd (APDL), the biggest producers of intravenous drugs in the Great Lakes region.
The Mukono-based state-of-the-art plant started operating last year, boosting the local health care sector that had predominantly depended on the importation similar drugs from Europe and India .
“We are grateful that the President accepted our invitation. it’s a spirit of supporting the local manufacturing sector,†the managing director, Ramesh Babu, said.
Abacus scooped the investor of the year golden award for 2009.
“We recognise how costly the health sector can be if it predominantly relies on imported products. we have experienced the costs incurred and their consequences to the African poor, hence the establishment of this plant,†he said.
Babu added that the commencement of production was a milestone in the region’s medical industry, as it led to reduced costs of drugs. For example, a 500ml piece of dextrose 5% and Norinal Salive 0.9% 500ml used to cost sh1,200 but they now go for sh800, Rigers Lactate 500ml, which was at sh1,500 now costs sh850 and 10ml water for injections is down to sh60 from sh80.
Parenterals drugs are in fluid form and are used intravenously (through veins). APDL was born out the local Abacus Pharma Africa Ltd that has been importing pharmaceutical drugs and surgical equipment into Uganda.
The company 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 drops composition.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni will today commission the $20m (sh39b) factory owned by Abacus Parenteral Drugs Ltd (APDL), the biggest producers of intravenous drugs in the Great Lakes region.
The Mukono-based state-of-the-art plant started operating last year, boosting the local health care sector that had predominantly depended on the importation similar drugs from Europe and India .
“We are grateful that the President accepted our invitation. it’s a spirit of supporting the local manufacturing sector,†the managing director, Ramesh Babu, said.
Abacus scooped the investor of the year golden award for 2009.
“We recognise how costly the health sector can be if it predominantly relies on imported products. we have experienced the costs incurred and their consequences to the African poor, hence the establishment of this plant,†he said.
Babu added that the commencement of production was a milestone in the region’s medical industry, as it led to reduced costs of drugs. For example, a 500ml piece of dextrose 5% and Norinal Salive 0.9% 500ml used to cost sh1,200 but they now go for sh800, Rigers Lactate 500ml, which was at sh1,500 now costs sh850 and 10ml water for injections is down to sh60 from sh80.
Parenterals drugs are in fluid form and are used intravenously (through veins). APDL was born out the local Abacus Pharma Africa Ltd that has been importing pharmaceutical drugs and surgical equipment into Uganda.
The company 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 drops composition.