Nepal Aims to Produce 36 Essential Medicines Within Two Years

Kathmandu. The Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene has moved forward with preparations to produce 36 types of essential medicines within the next two years from Nepal Drug Limited with the objective of strengthening domestic drug production.

For this, the process of the said memorandum of understanding has been advanced between the ministry and Nepal Drug Limited, the ministry has stated. Currently, 11 types of essential medicines are being produced from Nepal Drug Limited.

In the next phase, there is a plan to produce medicines for chronic diseases including high blood pressure and diabetes from Nepal Drug Limited. The ministry has stated that the necessary research and development, quality testing, production permits, and technical preparations will be intensified for this.

The ministry is preparing to manage the necessary budget for the effective implementation of this program and to adopt a policy of prioritizing domestic production in the supply of essential medicines required by government health institutions.

After the understanding comes into implementation, arrangements will be made for the purchase of medicines required for government health institutions to be made through an easy, regular, and institutional system between the ministry and the drug limited. It is expected that this will make the government procurement process more effective, as well as contribute to the assured use and market expansion of medicines produced by Nepal Drug Limited.

Similarly, the ministry has stated that the quality of all medicines produced by the drug limited will be ensured according to national and international standards. According to the ministry, this initiative is believed to strongly advance the government's long-term goal of promoting the domestic drug industry, increasing self-reliance in medicines, reducing dependence on imports, and ensuring the regular availability of quality and affordable essential medicines to citizens.