US pharmaceutical company to open facility in Ghana

A United States pharmaceutical company, Emerging World Pharma Inc., is setting up a facility in the Brong Ahafo regional capital, Sunyani to produce generic pharmaceutical products, just when an Indian company, Eldar Pharmaceuticals had pulled out of what was considered a failed venture in the country in January this year.

Emerging World has advanced plans including concluding interviews for employees and signing employment contracts, a press release issued by the company has said.

According to the company president, Brandon Keks, three containers of production equipment and supplies are currently on the high seas en route to Ghana.  He also said materials are being shipped by air for test production to begin.

The business in Ghana will be known as African Global Pharma, and it will produce a variety of generic medicines. The release indicated that at the beginning of production,  13 different medicines will be produced and another 18 will be registered as production capacity expands.

Ghana’s pharmaceutical sector has seen a dramatic growth in recent times, attracting the interest of global players in the industry. Local initiative and entrepreneurship has also paid off leading to a massive expansion and growth, making the country one of the leading producers and distributors of medicine in West Africa.

In November 2009, South Africa’s largest drugs company, Adcock Ingram Holdings Ltd., bought into one of Ghana’s leading pharmaceutical companies, Ayrton Drug Manufacturing Ltd.

The entrance of Emerging World can be seen as a show of confidence in Ghana’s pharmaceutical industry.

Meanwhile, phone calls made to the company by ghanabusinessnews.com  for further information, and received after working hours have not been returned as promised.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi