AstraZeneca products in Yemen [Archives:2006/939/Local News]
SANA'A, April 16 ) The National Trading Company (Natco) held a ceremony Monday, April 16, to mark its cooperation with a new international pharmaceutical company.
“We are now the agent for AstraZeneca pharmaceutical company,” Natco Deputy Managing Director Mohamed Abdulqawi announced, adding that AstraZeneca is considered one of the world's largest and most famous multinational pharmaceutical companies. “Internationally, it's ranked seventh at the moment,” he noted.
Held at the Movenpick Hotel, the ceremony also officially announced the launch of medication for gastro-esophageal reflux diseases (GER) like heartburn and ulcers.
Abdulqawi pointed out the importance of providing Yemeni patients such medication. “It is very important to treat heartburn and gastro-esophageal reflux disease to avoid completion which may cause cancer.” According to Abdulqawi, the GER medication has obtained international approval from patients.
Dr. Abdullah Abdulkhaliq, General Manager of the Medication Authority, confirmed that smuggled international medicines are in Yemeni markets “because their companies' agents do not register these medication types and some international companies have no agents in Yemen.”
He referred to the importance of dealing with international firms to provide Yemeni patients with good quality drugs. “Providing medication from international companies is for the sake of the Yemeni patient. Therefore, the fund encourages international companies and their agents in Yemen to register medication types.”
Attended by approximately 300 doctors and pharmacists, the ceremony included a scientific presentation wherein AstraZeneca specialists discussed clinical studies involving patients with heartburn and GER. According to the studies, 40 percent of adults in the Western world regularly experience heartburn and 10 percent have GER.
AstraZeneca formed April 6, 1999, through the merger of Sweden's Astra AB and the UK's Zeneca Group PLC – two firms with similar science-based cultures and a shared vision for the pharmaceutical industry.
Established in 1980, Natco, a large corporation owned by Said Anam, represents some of the most famous multinational brands in pharmaceuticals, electronics, home appliances, air conditioning, electromechanical, auto and business information systems.
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