Venezuela to Begin Producing Pharmaceuticals in 2012

The Venezuelan vice minister for health services networks, José España, said that by May of next year, the country will be operating pharmaceutical plants in order to guarantee medicines supplies to the population.

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The Venezuelan vice minister for health services networks, José España, said that by May of next year, the country will be operating pharmaceutical plants in order to guarantee medicines supplies to the population.

In a televised interview, España announced that Health Minister Eugenia Sader is currently in Europe purchasing the equipment and materials necessary to accelerate the implementation of the factories, which will produce tablets, capsules, syrups, and other drugs.

Venezuela currently imports most medicines, but the vice minister said the country has signed agreements with Portugal, Cuba and Colombia for the manufacture of antibiotics so that “next year will mark a major positive change in the industry.”

Through an agreement with China, the vice minister said a factory will be built to produce saline solutions and other saline products. This factory is expected to become operational in July or August 2012.

“At the Ministry of Health we plan to create a large pharmaceutical complex in 2012,” he added.

These facilities will be located in the states of Miranda (north-central coast) and  Guárico state (central plains).