Exports of Malaysia’s pharmaceutical products is expected to hit more than RM1.3 billion this year following high demand, particularly from West Asian countries, as well as the high quality of local products.

International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan said the local pharmaceutical producers had also achieved international standards, which should give customers the confidence to use Malaysian products, especially halal products.

He said pharmaceutical export continued to increase from RM1.13 billion in 2014 to RM1.31 billion last year.

“For the first-half of 2016, pharmaceutical products export reached RM764 million and total export this year is projected to exceed last year’s amount,” he said to reporters after visiting Nashmir Capsule Sdn Bhd’s gelatine capsule factory in Butterworth yesterday.

Ahmad said the nation’s pharmaceutical products could be classified into six categories, namely new types of medicine, biologics, generic products, health supplements, traditional and veterinary products.

New market penetration, such as in West Asian countries and Asean, also provided opportunities for Malaysia’s pharmaceutical producers to broaden their market, he said.

He said among the local companies that produced pharmaceutical products are Pharmaniaga Manufacturing Bhd, CCM Pharmaceutical Sdn Bhd, Hovid Bhd and Kontra Pharma (M) Sdn Bhd.

“Local companies must always increase their product quality and services in order to be viable and competitive at the domestic as well as international levels,” he said.

Besides the local companies, giant pharmaceutical companies such as Sterling Drug Malaya Sdn Bhd and B.Braun Medical Industries Sdn Bhd also have manufacturing facilities in Malaysia. — Bloomberg