Dhofar: Dhofar Governorate is experiencing significant advancement in the localization of pharmaceutical industries and medical supplies, aiming to ensure the availability of medical drugs in Oman and meet the demands of local and regional markets, with investments amounting to RO 90 million.
According to Oman News Agency, Ibrahim Nasser Al Rashdi, Director General of the Drug Safety Centre at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the burgeoning pharmaceutical industry in Dhofar through three major factories contributing to the health sector’s needs and reducing reliance on imports.
Al Rashdi revealed that the pharmaceutical industries unit in Raysut Industrial City, inaugurated in September 2024, was established at a cost exceeding RO 15 million. This unit specializes in producing intravenous and dialysis solutions using advanced technologies, adhering to the highest international quality standards. Built on an area of 22,000 square metres, it fulfills local market needs for pharmaceutical solutions, thus contributing to drug security in Oman, the Middle East, and North Africa.
The factory’s annual production includes 15 million units of intravenous solutions and 2.3 million units of kidney dialysis solutions, meeting the Omani health sector’s demand with an estimated output of 5 million units a year. Al Rashdi also discussed the Oman Pharmaceutical Industries Company factory, a prominent manufacturer in Oman since 2001, with a cumulative investment of RO 35 million. Situated in Raysut Industrial City, Salalah, the company aims to boost the local pharmaceutical industry and supply high-quality products to Omani and global markets.
The factory produces a variety of medicines, such as antibiotics, hormones, and effervescent tablets, exporting to over 45 countries, including the US and Europe, affirming its adherence to international quality standards. Al Rashidi further noted that Raysut Industrial City houses a factory producing medical supplies like gloves and masks, with an investment of around RO 5 million, capable of meeting the needs of the local and GCC health sectors. The Salalah Medical Supplies Manufacturing Company, established in 1997, also operates in Raysut Industrial City, manufacturing and distributing products within Oman and exporting to GCC states.
Discussing the pharmaceutical industry in Salalah Free Zone, Al Rashdi mentioned the RO 35 million investment in Felix Pharmaceutical Industries factory, aiming to transform the zone into a regional hub for pharmaceutical and biological industries. This initiative is expected to produce over 100 pharmaceutical products, including antivirals, heart disease medications, and vaccines, with the first phase’s production capacity reaching one billion tablets and capsules annually.
The Sultanate of Oman is committed to enhancing drug security by encouraging both national and international investments in the medical industry, aiming to reduce dependence on imports and increase local production, aligning with Oman Vision 2040’s objectives.