Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Global Health Forum witnessed on Sunday the signing of a preliminary agreement to localize Insulin in Saudi Arabia.

The signing of the agreement was under the patronage of the Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel, Investment Minister Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al Khorayef, in addition to a number of officials, investors, businessmen, and experts in the health sector.

This qualitative agreement came in partnership with the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority (LCGPA) and the Expenditure and Project Efficiency Authority (EXPRO) by activating the contracting method for the localization of the industry and the transfer of knowledge.

This will contribute in maximizing the benefit from the government purchasing power, and to reach self-sufficiency in a number of priority products and sectors, as it also aims to localize the manufacture of some insulin products.

The agreement was concluded by the National Company for the Unified Purchase of Medicines, Devices and Medical Supplies (UPCO), Sudair Pharmaceuticals Company, and Sanofi Company.

The preliminary agreement seeks to enhance the efforts of the government system, represented by the Health, Industry and Mineral Resources, and Investment ministries, regarding localizing the medical and pharmaceutical industry, and in a way that contributes in achieving pharmaceutical and health security in the Kingdom.

It will also enhance the Kingdom's leadership in the medical and pharmaceutical industry in line with its pharmaceutical needs, in addition to contributing in developing the local content in the field of pharmaceutical industries.

The localization of pharmaceutical industries is considered a top priority for the health sector system in Saudi Arabia, which comes in the context of the Health Sector Transformation Program within the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, in order to confront public health challenges, including diabetes.

It is noteworthy that the Global Health Forum will last until Oct. 31, at the Roshen Front Exhibition and Convention Center in Riyadh.

The forum aims to encourage the investment in health, as well as to work on increasing the health sector in Saudi Arabia.

This is in addition to introducing the visitor to the dimensions of progress witnessed by the health system, its digital transformations and medical technologies.