Industry chamber hails move to limit gov’t pharmaceutical purchases to local products

AMMAN — Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) on Wednesday praised the government’s decision to include pharmaceutical products in the move to limit government purchases to national products.

JCI’s Vice President Mazen Tantash, who is also the representative of the medical industry sector, commended the measure which he said will have a positive impact on the local industry, especially under the current “difficult” circumstances.

In a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Tantash said the decision will enhance the pharmaceutical and medical equipment sectors within the local market.

It came after “intense efforts” by the JCI, in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply, the Health Ministry, the Jordan Food and Drug Administration and the Joint Procurement Department, he added.

The Jordanian pharmaceutical and medical equipment industry is the premier contributor to the Kingdom’s economy, and operates to a high quality which meets international standards, Tantash noted, adding that there are now 15 Jordanian pharmaceutical factories outside the Kingdom.

The sector exports products to more than 75 markets around the world, reaching a value of JD376 million during the first half of 2016, the JCI vice president said.