Qatar to achieve self-sufficiency in medicine soon

DOHA: Qatar, as part of efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in terms of necessary medicines, is expected to introduce the popular eCTD (electronic common technical document) system very soon, said a prominent Qatari official from the local pharmaceutical industry.

The eCTD is an interface and international specification for the pharmaceutical industry to agency transfer of regulatory information. The specification is based on the Common Technical Document (CTD) format.

The introduction of the contemporary system will make the filing for pharmaceutical products, dosage and other related important details much easier and faster. This will also facilitate in introducing new medicines in the market.

“Once the eCTD is introduced in Qatar, it will become much easier to collaborate with friendly countries to source medicine. It will also help achieving self-sufficiency in terms of necessary medicines for local hospitals and clinics very soon,” Dr Ahmed Hamad Al Mohanadi (pictured below), CEO of Qlife Pharma told The Peninsula.

Dr Al Mohanadi added: “We are eagerly waiting for eCTD to be launched as soon as possible as we cannot bring more products to Qatar using the conventional method.”

Qatari pharmaceutical companies, including QLife Pharma, a flagship pharmaceutical company which is manufacturing high quality products using world class advanced technology, is working aggressively for collaboration in the field of medicine, life science, and biotechnology with leading manufacturers and R&D laboratories in the US, Europe, and several Asian countries such as India and Pakistan.

QLife is the first pharmaceutical company in Qatar, and engaged in the manufacturing of semi solid and oral liquid dosage forms, and now stepping into oral solid dosage form as well.

Al Mohanadi recently signed an agreement between Poland and Qatar, on behalf of the Government of Qatar. This agreement will bring collaboration between the two countries for development of life sciences products to be manufactured in QLife Pharma facilities.

“We are working to develop our pharmaceutical industry in a big way. We are collaborating with many friendly countries around the world, including the US. The US has advanced technology, know-how, and well-developed pharmaceutical industry. Both sides are working on how to establish cooperation to provide medicine to Qatar and the region. They are also exploring ways to cooperate in the field of life science,” he noted.

However, he also noted that the pharmaceutical industry has long gestation period compared to other industries due to several reasons such licensing and other complex nature of regulatory framework. It takes at least 3-5 years from the initial investment to the actual product hitting the market. The industry also faces some natural obstacles such as the market size, and challenges related to culture, patent and other, which can be addressed easily.

“But it is very important that achieving self-sufficiency in medicine is part of our objective. The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani always gives emphasis on medicine security along with food security as part of the self-sufficiency programme,” he said.

The demand for medicines in the local market is currently very high, but Al Mohanadi reiterated that QLife Pharma is moving gradually as it takes time for the products getting market acceptance and regulatory approvals.

“Earlier the Ministry of Public Health used to source all medicines from outside which were usually certified by GCC countries. But after the blockading countries stopped their supplies, we are facing some challenges as we do not have adequate facilities and laboratories to fully certify all medicines.”

However, he also highlighted that authorities concerned in Qatar are working in changing ways of how to approve medicines and how to accept the documentation for new drugs.

In addition, Qatari firms are also in touch with some of the leading Indian multinational pharmaceutical companies such as Cipla, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Sun Pharma and others.

Al Mohanadi said that there is a big potential for collaboration with Indian pharma companies for several reasons, which include geographical proximity and Qatar’s historic friendly relations with the Asia’s third largest economy with a market size of over 1.3 billion people.

He affirmed that Qatar will soon be able to achieve self-sufficiency in medicine, especially in terms of necessary pharmaceutical products. But this is not the only goal Qatar aims to achieve.

“We intend to collaborate with global elites in terms of research and development (R&D). Qatar is ready to join hands with leading laboratories in the world to introduce new molecules; new molecules for chronic diseases to support the humanity. But at this moment we are focusing to satisfy our immediate needs of medicines,” Al Mohanadi said.