Türkiye Becoming a Global Hub for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Through New Investments

Turkey's pharmaceutical industry is advancing steadily toward becoming a global manufacturing hub. With the localization policy in pharmaceuticals supported by the Ministry of Health, the target is to produce drugs worth TRY 6.1 billion annually in Turkey and increase the domestic production share from 40% to 60% in value terms. The Ministry's localization policy in pharmaceuticals has begun to be reflected in recent investments made in the country by international pharmaceutical companies such as Swiss Novartis, US-based Gilead Sciences, Iranian Cinnagen, and French Sanofi. According to data from the Pharmaceutical Industry Employers' Association (İEİS), Turkey's pharmaceutical market reached TRY 30.94 billion in 2018 through hospital and pharmacy channels with 26.1% growth in value terms, noted Cengiz Yaman, General Director of Artkim Fuarcılık. The sector, which provides employment to approximately 35,000 people, reached a value of TRY 33 billion on an annual basis in the first quarter of 2019 and a volume of 2.3 billion units in terms of box count. Pointing out that important steps such as localization in pharmaceuticals, exports, and value-added production are being taken in light of the country's dependence on raw materials and components, Yaman stated: "We are organizing the third edition of the International Pharmaceutical Components, Raw Materials and Technologies Fair Pharmaist on 24-26 October 2019 at Istanbul Fuar Merkezi with over 100 companies and company representatives participating in an area of 2,500 m². Pharmaist is an export-oriented fair. We expect to welcome over 3,000 professional visitors from the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Balkans, with Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Algeria, France, Italy, Azerbaijan, Russia and Ukraine leading the way."

Turkey exports pharmaceuticals to more than 160 countries

According to data from Istanbul Chemical Substances and Products Exporters' Association (İKMİB), the chemical sector achieved TRY 1.7 billion in exports in July 2019 with a 17.7% increase compared to the same period in the previous year, noted Cengiz Yaman. "Our chemical industry continues in 2019 as the second sector generating the most exports on a stable basis. Our pharmaceutical industry, one of the most important subsectors of the chemical industry, exports to over 160 countries according to İEİS data and makes available over 11,000 products to our population. Approximately 500 companies operating in the sector include 81 pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and 11 active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production facilities that produce according to international standards. With its established history, production experience, and ability to rapidly adapt to value-added and technological developments, it is positioned as one of our country's most strategic sectors. To meet all the chemical raw materials and technology needs of the sector and to open up new markets, we have completed all preparations for the 3rd International Pharmaceutical Components, Raw Materials and Technologies Fair Pharmaist." he said.

Pharmaist, the common meeting point of the pharmaceutical sector, in Istanbul Fuar Merkezi in October...

The 3rd International Pharmaceutical Components, Raw Materials and Technologies Fair Pharmaist will take place between 24-26 October 2019 at Istanbul Fuar Merkezi with over 100 companies participating in an area of 2,500 m² and over 3,000 professional visitors. The fair's participant profile comprises "Pharmaceutical Components," "Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)," "Pharmaceutical Intermediate and Secondary Products," "Semi-Finished Products and Additives," "Pharmaceutical Laboratory, Manufacturing Equipment, Testing and Measurement Devices," "Pharmaceutical Packaging/Packaging Technologies," "Clean Room Technologies" and "Turnkey Projects." The visitor profile consists of decision-makers, senior management, procurement, quality control and R&D, marketing-sales and production department managers of companies operating in the pharmaceutical sector.

Latest technological developments will be discussed, products and formulations will be showcased...

Conferences and panels organized concurrently with Pharmaist will feature participation from important industry association presidents, scientists, experts and business figures from both abroad and domestically, while the latest technological developments in the sector will be discussed and products and formulations will be showcased. Through the Purchasing Delegation Program organized within the scope of the fair, potential buyers and participants will have the opportunity for bilateral meetings during the fair period, while the appointment schedule created before the fair will facilitate stronger business collaborations between the right sellers and buyers.