US firm setting up Kes1.6Bn drug plant in Kisumu
A US pharmaceutical company is setting up a Kes1.6 billion drug manufacturing plant in Kisumu County, a move that is poised to significantly boost the supply of healthcare supplies within the region.
This initiative follows a deal between Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, GLUK, and Med Aditus Pharmaceuticals, allowing the US-based manufacturer to construct a manufacturing plant at Great Lakes University of Kisumu (GLUK) in Kibos.
CEO and President of Med Aditus Pharmaceuticals, Dhiren R. Thakker, said that the company intends to use new technologies such as prefabricated pods, blockchain data architecture, and continuous modular manufacturing to cater to consumer needs as well as ensure a steady supply of drugs.
“The modular continuous manufacturing technology we are bringing to Kisumu is going to be the first one of its kind in Africa. Africa is going to be a leader in this technology and ensure that people have access to affordable medicine which they can trust,” he added.
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Drugs at subsidized cost
Prof. Nyong’o said that the project will create employment opportunities and boost medical supplies in the region and nation at large because they will be producing approximately two billion tablets every year at a highly subsidized cost.
“By producing medicines locally, Med Aditus will reduce our dependence on imports, improve our supply chain security, and increase our resilience to shocks and disruptions, especially in the face of emerging and re-emerging diseases,” he explained.
The firm also intends to incorporate other academic institutions in the region, so as to develop educational training programs that will create a workforce. This is sure to not only add to healthcare as an industry but is also bound to boost the economy. Some of these include Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Maseno University, and Uzima University.
On its website, the North Carolina (USA) headquartered company says “We seek to partner with Sub-Saharan African nations, international agencies, and private sector organizations to build a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical product development and manufacturing facility and a secure distribution network, with the end goal of improving patients’ access to affordable high-quality medicines.”
