Another firm planning to make drugs in Malta

Another pharmaceutical company, Star Pharma, planned to start producing generic drugs in Malta, Economic Services Minister Josef Bonnici said yesterday.

Speaking at the pharmacy symposium at the University of Malta, he said that Star Pharma had been allocated a factory at Hal Far and was due to start production soon.

Star Pharma has already recruited some local staff and is currently engaged in various pre-production activities, in preparation for the certification of its facilities.

Last week, details were given about a new pharmaceutical company, Arrow Pharm Malta Limited, that is due to start regular production of generic drugs in June, with an investment expected to exceed Lm3 million.

Prof. Bonnici said that the Advisory Council that provides strategic advice to the Malta Enterprise board had specifically identified the pharmaceutical sector as having particular potential for Malta.

"This is what we have started to do, with some very encouraging results already," he said, going on to give various examples, such as Star Pharma and Arrow Pharm.