In a significant step toward achieving self-sufficiency in the production of essential medicines, Health Minister Dr. Musab al-Ali inaugurated Syria’s first production line for pharmaceutical salts. The new line, with an annual production capacity of up to 1,000 tons, launched at the Miamed Pharmaceutical Industries plant in the Damascus countryside.
A Milestone for the Syrian Pharmaceutical Industry
Dr. Ali explained the new production line represents a fundamental stage in the pharmaceutical manufacturing chain, producing a pre-final raw material used in the preparation of saline solutions and dialysis fluids. He noted that previously this material was only imported.
The minister stressed localizing the production of pharmaceutical salts helps shield the health sector from global supply-chain disruptions, reduces import costs, and lays the groundwork for potential future exports. He added that the Ministry of Health supports such national initiatives by facilitating procedures, accelerating licensing, and providing technical assistance, describing the project as a major national achievement and a model for further industrial development.
Meeting Domestic Market Needs
Dr. Ali Bilal, Director of Pharmaceutical Factories at the Syrian Sovereign Fund’s medical sector, highlighted the purification line is the first facility in Syria dedicated to producing pharmaceutical raw materials. In its initial phase, it will manufacture sodium chloride for injection in accordance with international standards.
He noted that the line’s annual capacity, estimated at between 900 and 1,000 tons, is sufficient to fully cover local demand, with plans in place to expand production to include additional pharmaceutical salts used in a wide range of medications. These materials, he said, are critical for drug security, particularly for intravenous fluids and dialysis solutions.
Localizing Advanced Technology
Mustafa Zaidan, Director of the Pharmaceutical Salts Purification Department, explained the project aims to manufacture multiple types of pharmaceutical salts, beginning with sodium chloride and later expanding to others, thereby reducing reliance on imports.
He emphasized that the initiative introduces advanced technologies to Syria for the first time, including modern drying systems, specialized equipment, and high-grade metal alloys. This technology transfer, he said, will contribute to building national expertise and strengthening the country’s industrial and technical capabilities.
The inauguration of this production line marks a key step in the Ministry of Health’s strategy to develop the pharmaceutical industry, reduce drug shortages, and enhance national drug security, reflecting a broader commitment to building a more resilient and self-reliant healthcare system.
