PHARMANIAGA LAUNCHES MALAYSIA’S FIRST LOCALLY OWNED BIOPHARMACEUTICAL PLANT

PUCHONG, Sept 19 (Bernama) -- Pharmaniaga Berhad has made history by launching the country's first locally owned biopharmaceutical plant capable of producing insulin and vaccines, significantly bolstering the nation's medical supply chain.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the plant would reduce the dependence on imported biopharmaceuticals, freeing the country from exploitation by major global players.

“The state-of-the-art plant will be able to produce insulin, as well as vaccines for 13 types of diseases, and will help secure the future of country’s medicine supplies.

"More importantly, the launch of this facility aligns with Armed Forces Fund Board’s (LTAT) commitment under the MADANI Economy framework," he told a press conference after launching the plant here today.

As a major shareholder of Pharmaniaga through Boustead Holdings Berhad, he said LTAT is committed to elevate Malaysia’s pharmaceutical value creation by strengthening its capacity to produce local biopharmaceutical products.

Earlier, in his speech, Mohamed Khaled said that in the context of national defence and societal well-being, alongside the readiness of uniformed forces such as the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and the Royal Malaysia Police, the security of medicine supplies, including vaccines and insulin, is a critical matter that must not be overlooked.

“Just look at the situation a few years ago. I believe the COVID-19 pandemic left an indelible mark in history. At the onset of the pandemic, we were highly dependent on foreign companies to develop and supply the COVID-19 vaccines,” he said.

When Pharmaniaga decided to expand its plant’s capabilities to reach the current international standard, it was undoubtedly a development to be proud of, he said.

However, he added, the importance and necessity of the facility should not only be viewed within the context of a global pandemic or infectious diseases, but its functions and scope extend much further, such as the production of insulin for diabetes patients.

“About 4.4 million Malaysians currently living with diabetes, requiring around 24.7 million doses of insulin annually. Worse still, the number of patients is expected to increase to five million by 2030,” he said.

In addition, Mohamed Khaled expressed his hope that Pharmaniaga would focus on ensuring that all its products and services receive demand, support, and acceptance both domestically and internationally.

“The standard, quality, and safety of products must be at their best. I believe that good products will attract attention from all parties,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said that the facility has the potential to deliver good dividend returns for LTAT and Boustead Holdings Berhad.

He added that Pharmaniaga Berhad's success will enable LTAT to generate profits, which will, in turn, contribute to sustaining good dividends for its contributors, who are the MAF personnel.

-- BERNAMA