CPhI Middle East & Africa pharma event completes second successful year in the UAE capital

CPhI Middle East & Africa 2019, the global pharmaceutical showcase held in Abu Dhabi, has concluded after welcoming 234 exhibiting companies and over 3,100 visitors, from 98 countries.

His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, opened the event on 16 September, amid the projected US$41 billion the pharmaceutical industry in the MENA region is expected to top by 2022.

Cara Turner, Brand Director, CPhI Middle East & Africa, said: “This year has been about building on the success of the inaugural edition last year and reinforcing the importance of the event, which has been designed to support and grow pharmaceutical manufacturing throughout the region.

“Several exhibitors have already re-signed for the 2020 event, and in doing so also expanded their presence through booking larger stand areas. Our aim for next year is to attract even greater numbers of high-level delegates, visitors, exhibitors and speakers,” added Turner.

The three-day event, which was sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Protection (MoHaP), brought together companies covering every step of the pharma supply chain from drug research to finished dosage including pharma ingredients, product manufacturers, supplies and buyers.  

The exhibition space was broken down into five distinct sectors of the industry, including:

• CPhI: Brings together buyers, manufacturers and suppliers of pharmaceutical ingredients
• FDF: Meet with manufacturers from every aspect of the finished dosage supply chain
• ICSE: Connects the pharma community with CRO and CMO companies and technologies
• P-MEC: Showcases the newest pharmaceutical machinery, equipment and technology providers
• InnoPack: Hosts the latest innovations in packaging, integrated solutions and drug delivery systems

Research from the show revealed over 75% of all visitors had purchasing power, thereby connecting prominent and pioneering pharma brands such as Switzerland’s Bachem, French headquartered BD, India’s Vasudha Pharma Chem Ltd and the UAE’s Neopharma, with key partners.  

The onsite conference programme opened with a keynote speech from His Excellency Dr Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of Public Health Policy & Licensing Sector in UAE Ministry of Health & Prevention, MoHaP. Entitled Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Continuum: Highlights Across the Region, where he addressed a number of topics including a focus on Middle East healthcare systems, creating value for patients and society, R&D investments and an overview on creating a smart regulatory environment for the UAE.

Dr Faisal BinDail, Chairman of the National Committee for Pharmaceutical Industries, outlined plans for future-proofing Saudi Arabia’s pharma development as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Speaking at the event Dr. BinDail said: “In the context of Saudi Arabia, Pharma manufacturing holds an important position in achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The regulatory body, local industry players, global companies have realised the importance of this initiative and are working towards strengthening of localised Pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Focusing on Sub-Saharan African (SSA), Martin Tronquit, Founder and Managing Partner of Infomineo, highlighted the rate of growth of pharma spending in the region and the opportunities for pharma companies to produce products locally. The growth of the market in SSA directly correlated with a 21% increase in visitors to the show when compared to the 2018 edition.

With a series of events held in Europe, North America, Korea, China, India, Japan and Southeast Asia, globally CPhI brings together more than 100,000 pharmaceutical professionals every year.