Sunday September 22, 2024
by GEORGE OWITI
SQUARE Pharmaceuticals Kenya EPZ Ltd on Friday dispatched 5, 500 boxes (pack of 30's) of human medicines to Somalia.
SQUARE pharmaceuticals Kenya EPZ Ltd officials flag off a truck ferrying medicines to Somalia at the company's factory at the Export Processing Zone in Athi River, Machakos County on September 20, 2024. Image: HANDOUT
A local pharmaceutical manufacturer has made its first medicines export a year after setting up the factory in Kenya.
SQUARE Pharmaceuticals Kenya EPZ Ltd on Friday dispatched 5, 500 boxes (pack of 30's) of human medicines to Somalia.
The exports included Angilock 50/12.5 Tablet (Losartah 50mg and Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5mg).
The SQUARE Pharmaceuticals Kenya EPZ Ltd director Dr Iruki Kailemia said the first export will develop confidence among doctors and pharmacists about the quality of local pharmaceuticals.
"We have today achieved a historic milestone with this flagging off ceremony celebrating the first ever export of its pharmaceuticals from our Athi River, EPZ manufacturing plant in Kenya," Kailemia said.
Kailemia spoke during the ceremony at the company's factory premises in Export Processing Zone, Athi River, Machakos County on Friday.
He said though the company had been operating in Kenya since 2004, the medicines' production plant became operational in 2023 when it was constructed at the zone.
"This achievement confirms the company's continued commitment to delivering innovative and high-quality healthcare solutions on a global scale," Kailemia said.
"SQUARE Pharmaceuticals EPZ Ltd extends its heartfelt thanks to its employees, partners and customers who have been instrumental through their support and loyalty to reach this milestone. We as a company are envisioned to supplying other African and European countries from this (Kenya's) plant."
Kailemia thanked the government for its continued support and for ensuring that they have a conducive environment to do business.
"Government agencies such as the Export Processing Zone Authority helped us in every step when it was required including the export permit. We have already employed 250 local people," Kailemia said.
He said they had a plan to increase the numbers to 1, 000 direct employees as they increase their operations at the Zone.
Kailemia said they were in the process of setting up a liquid and injection project at the same plant.