KABUL, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- About 130 pharmaceutical factories are currently operating across Afghanistan, producing more than 600 types of medicines, marking a notable increase compared with previous years, local media outlet Tolo news reported Monday.
Domestic manufacturers are capable of producing up to 20 million units of various medicines within a 24-hour period, helping meet local demand and reduce the country's reliance on imported drugs, the report said.
The expansion of the pharmaceutical sector reflects improving industrial capacity and growing investment in the health industry, the report added.
Meanwhile, monitoring mechanisms have been strengthened to ensure production standards and safeguard public health. The Afghan government has also continued to support local manufacturers to ensure the availability of quality, affordable medicines for the population. ■