NHRA to begin output at its first pharma facility by mid 2017
Manama : The National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) will start production at its first pharmaceutical manufacturing facility by the middle of 2017, said the CEO of NHRA, Dr Mariam Al Jalahmeh.
NHRA will also start production at its second facility by the end of 2019.
She was speaking at a press conference yesterday called in connection with the presentation of performance by the NHRA during the past year.
The NHRA will also start functioning of two new major hospitals in 2017, Dr Al Jalahmeh said.
“The authority has successfully reassessed the systems and procedures in healthcare sector to encourage investment in the sector. In 2016, it was able to set a new era by implementing new standards in healthcare in the Kingdom. A National Hospital Accreditation Project was introduced with the aim of setting up multidisciplinary teams and help evaluate standards for hospitals in the private sector. It was also able to impart training for healthcare professionals, 56 of them were sent to a workshop held by the Saudi Central Health Care Accreditation (CBAHI),” said Dr Al Jalahmeh.
Speaking about the challenges the NHRA faced during the period, Dr Al Jalahmeh said, “The organization had to deal with problems related to finance, human resources, IT implementation and registrations. Financial budget has been raised by 25 per cent, and with that the human resources had been revitalized. We are now working on the IT and hope to replenish it by the end of next year. It will also be turned digital, “ the CEO said.
As far as registrations are concerned, the authority has already given 14 new registrations with two in the process. As it is concerned mainly with licensing of pharmaceuticals and drug manufacturers, we are waiting for approval from the legal authorities, said the CEO.
With regard to forthcoming projects, Dr Al Jalahmeh said the authority is planning to start two new major hospitals: one for women and children and the other for general patients. About five new clinics are in the application stages. A couple of more pharmaceutical production units are also set to start production in 2019, Dr Al Jalahmeh added.
“The NHRA has managed to increase the employment rate by 40 per cent, and with the cooperation of the Ministry of Finance, we have been able to review health services fees and hold down to their real cost, without looking into profits,” said Ms. Iman Abdullah, Head of Human and Financial Resources.
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