Cipla Quality Chemicals to manufacture cancer drugs

Cipla Quality Chemical Industries is set to start producing cancer drugs, with the first batch expected to have hit the market by July of this year.

John Kamili, the Cipla Quality Chemicals’ executive director said that they are now shifting their focus on manufacture of HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Hepatitis B drugs to Cancer therapy. 

“We are partnering with the ministry of health to produce these drugs here, with an aim of tapping into the lucrative market that has arisen due to the increasing incidents of Cancer among Ugandans,” he told New Vision on the sidelines of the launch of the public-private sector initiative for vaccination of COVID-19 in Ntinda on Wednesday. 

The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja presided over the function.

Kamili said that they have already procured government’s guarantee to purchase the cancer drugs through the Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) initiative.

“The current law allows the government to bypass the PPDA arrangements and procure a product for public distribution and use, especially in times of emergency. So, we benefited from that law,” he said.

He said the drug production facility, which will be located in Luzira, will cost about $15m in the first phase, while the second phase will cost up to $30m.

“The facility will be fitted with technology from Cipla India, which has for many years been producing human drugs. With such technology, these drugs will be cost-effective and of good quality, from one of the best manufactures in the world,” he said. 

Kamili said the Uganda pharmaceutical industry has grown from producing 15% of all the local drug needs five years ago to 35% currently, and forecast to jump to 50% in the next 5 years. 

“Currently, Uganda’s pharmaceutical industry is worth $500m, and this will double to $100m by 2027. There about 25 new pharmaceutical manufacturers preparing to set up in Uganda, and the future is bright.” 

Cipla Quality Chemical Industries Limited is a pharmaceutical manufacturing company located at Luzira, in Kampala. The company manufactures Anti-retroviral (ARVs), Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) and Hepatitis medicines to treat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Hepatitis. 

It is also listed on the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE).