Chairman of the General Investment Authority Meets with Members of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Union
The discussions also emphasized the importance of providing more support to local pharmaceutical companies, including equal treatment in fees compared to imported medicines from sister Arab countries. The participants highlighted the need for streamlined licensing procedures for the quantities and types of raw materials used in pharmaceutical production, as well as the necessity of allowing exceptional additions in justified cases, such as emergencies similar to the COVID-19 pandemic, climate-related disruptions, or other health instability factors.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to hold a joint session including the High Authority for Medicines and Medical Supplies, the Customs Authority, the General Investment Authority, and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Union to address and resolve the obstacles hindering local pharmaceutical investment and production.
On the morning of Monday, April 28, 2025, at the headquarters of the General Investment Authority, Chairman Mr. Ali Ahmed Garhoum met with Dr. Nabil Atef, Vice President of the Yemeni Doctors Union, and members of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Union, including Dr. Nazem Saleh Ismail, Director of Public Relations at Shifaco Pharmaceutical Industries and Coordinator of the Union; Dr. Lotfi Saleh Al-Mashreqi, Warehouse Secretary at the Yemeni-Egyptian Pharmaceutical Company; and Engineer Aref Yahya Al-Khalidi, Branch Manager of Biopharma Pharmaceuticals. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Director General of the Investment Authority, Mr. Nawaf Othman Aoun.
At the outset, Mr. Ali Ahmed Jarhoum welcomed the members of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Union, affirming the General Investment Authority’s commitment to facilitating all procedures for investors. He also urged other concerned entities to prioritize the interests of investors and promote the public good in service of the citizens.
The meeting focused on discussing several issues and challenges faced by local pharmaceutical manufacturers and companies, particularly concerning bureaucratic delays and obstacles in the importation of raw materials used in drug production, often due to reasons unrelated to legal procedures.