Physical Address
Indirizzo: Via Mario Greco 60, Buttigliera Alta, 10090, Torino, Italy
The import bill for medicines falls sharply
From $1.25 billion to $515 million
The Minister of Pharmaceutical Industry, Ouacim Kouidri, indicated Tuesday in Algiers that his sector had experienced “notable development” in recent years, thanks to the policy implemented to implement the program of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune. This program aims to ensure health security, strengthen local production and regulate imports.
Speaking before the Commission on Economic Affairs, Development, Industry, Trade and Planning of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the minister presented the state policy on the development of the pharmaceutical industry. According to him, Algeria currently has 233 pharmaceutical production establishments, of which 138 manufacture medicines. These units cover 82% of national needs. At the same time, 103 new projects are being studied, of which 72 concern medicines and 31 medical devices.
Mr. Kouidri highlighted that the value of medicine imports had declined, from $1.25 billion in 2022 to $515 million in 2024. He predicted a further decline in 2025, due to measures to support national production. Presenting the ministry’s new strategy, he explained that it is based on three axes: encouraging investment in national pharmaceutical production, strengthening coverage of needs for essential medical products and devices, and developing exports to foreign markets, particularly in Africa. The minister affirmed that this strategy aims to ensure pharmaceutical sovereignty and contribute to the country’s economic growth, by creating employment and supporting exports.