Pharmaceutical imports have increased by 44% over the past five years, from TND 1,228.6 million in 2018 to TND 1,764 in 2022, according to a note recently published by the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT).
These imports exceeded TND 854 million in the first six months of the current year and are expected to reach TND 1.7 billion by the end of 2023.
This increase comes at a time of remarkable expansion in the pharmaceutical industry, according to data published by the National Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry.
In fact, national drug production covers 63% of the needs of the pharmaceutical sector and 23% (almost 1/4) of the needs of hospitals.
73% of locally produced medicines are generics.
The pharmaceutical industry comprises 25 industrial units employing 9,000 people, most of whom are managers.
This activity has recorded a growth rate of 45% in recent years.
In July 2002, the National Agency for Medicines and Health Products was created as a non-administrative public body.
Under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, this agency is responsible for proposing national policies on medicines and health products and ensuring quality control of medicines.
