Merck, a leading life sciences and technology company, today announced the commissioning of its anti-diabetes medicine production unit for the treatment of diabetes and high blood pressure. A joint venture project has subsequently been set up between the company and its partner, the Algerian laboratory Novapharm to produce 500 million tablets for the Algerian market.
The production unit located in Bou Ismail, a remote village 40 km west of Algiers, will help increase national production capacity. The investment is valued at 5 million euros and will enable Algeria to reduce the import bill for medicines. The meds will the improve the care of patients through increased availability of medicines in the local market, as well as create 200 jobs.
“Our partnership with Novapharm will optimise our services for Algerian patients. It will establish improved access to quality medicines,” said Mr. Bernd Reckmann, Member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Management Board of Life Science and Performance Materials at Merck. “By sharing good manufacturing practices and transfer of technology and know-how, this alliance between Merck and Novapharm will have a positive impact on production capacity and the future of the pharmaceutical industry in Algeria.”
