AMMAN, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Jordan produces more than 4,500 pharmaceutical products and exports to 85 markets worldwide, making the industry one of the kingdom's leading export-oriented sectors, according to an industry representative.
"The pharmaceutical industry represents one of the most promising sectors in Jordan due to its accumulated expertise and adherence to high-quality standards," Fadi Atrash, representative of the pharmaceutical and medical supplies industries sector in Jordan Chamber of Industry, told Xinhua in a recent interview.
He said that the sector currently comprises nearly 30 manufacturing facilities across the kingdom, with registered capital estimated at around 350 million Jordanian dinars (about 493 million U.S. dollars). It provides approximately 10,000 direct jobs, he added.
He noted that Jordanian companies continue investing in research and development and upgrading production technologies to maintain competitiveness in regional and international markets.
Industry representatives noted that regulatory progress has also played an important role in strengthening the sector's global standing.
In an interview with Xinhua, the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) said its accession to the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) in January marked a significant milestone in aligning Jordan's pharmaceutical oversight system with international Good Manufacturing Practices standards.
With the accession, Jordan became the 57th authority worldwide to join the organization, according to JFDA. The membership enhances confidence in Jordanian pharmaceutical products, facilitates access to global markets, improves the global competitiveness of Jordanian pharmaceutical industry, strengthens regulatory cooperation, and increases the exchange of information related to medicine quality and safety, it added. ■
