Sample medicines. [Photo/pinterest]A Bangladeshi firm Square Pharmaceuticals has invested Sh7.5 billion capsules plant at the Export Processing Zones in Athi River.The plant is estimated to be complete by next year July.
It will have a capacity of about two billion tablets and 60 million bottles of liquid medicines when fully operational.The medicines will largely be for HIV/Aids, malaria, tuberculosis, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in phases within five years of starting operations.The medicines will be sold to the domestic market and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa).Square managing director Tapan Chowdhury said, "Having a local pharmaceutical manufacturing plant will ensure Kenya and the region can easily access quality and affordable medicines."He further added, "We believe that local pharmaceutical production has potential to reduce cost of drugs by 40 per cent and bring about greater access to essential drugs, while at the same time promoting the agenda of universal healthcare."