The UAE-based pharmaceutical manufacturer Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar) recently announced the registration and marketing of Emirates manufactured insulin, in both raw and packaged forms, in 17 countries, said a report.

The registration of the product in Mexico, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka, demonstrates the company’s efforts to enter these highly important markets, which have large populations and were previously closed to large international companies, Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, chairman of the board of Julphar, was quoted as saying in a Wam news agency report.

He added that this represents the start of the growth in sales of insulin manufactured by Julphar, and its potential for commercial production.

Al Qasimi further noted that Julphar has a good international reputation and wide expertise in manufacturing medicines. Aware of its responsibilities in the areas of healthcare and treating chronic diseases, it has established a solid foundation to combat diabetes by introducing vital technology and establishing a factory, unique in the Middle East, to produce human insulin with an annual production capacity of 1,500 kg.

He continued that this in turn amounts to approximately 40 million insulin jabs, thus contributing to breaking the production monopoly of this vital drug by adding the UAE to the list of the few countries that produce insulin.

Al Qasimi added that in response to the national vision to combat diabetes, the company will launch its “Julphar12” factory next year, which will specialise in producing insulin 'pens' with an annual production capacity of 15 million units, easing the many difficulties of diabetes patients, added the report.