Jordan’s pharmaceutical and medical supplies sector enjoys a high production capacity reaching 1.6 billion dinars annually, making it a safety valve for the country under all circumstances.
The sector’s locally manufactured products include human and veterinary medicines, medical disinfectants, dental supplies, laboratory reagents, medical devices, multi-use medical and therapeutic materials, nutritional supplements, and more.
According to the sector’s representative at the Jordan Chamber of Industry, Dr. Fadi Al-Atrash, the pharmaceutical and medical supplies industries are among the most strategic and vital industrial sectors contributing to the national economy. They are characterized by their diverse expertise and strong interconnection with other sectors related to healthcare and medical supply chains in the Kingdom.
Dr. Al-Atrash told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the sector is both capital- and technology-intensive, supported by a specialized scientific workforce of chemists, biologists, and technicians. It also contributes significantly to national exports, thanks to the high quality and tangible impact of its products.
He added that the sector, which includes 151 active establishments across Jordan, is considered one of the largest economic activities in terms of value-added creation. It is divided into three main sub-sectors: human pharmaceuticals, veterinary pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies.
The sector’s value-added ratio from total production reaches 51%, contributing about 3% to the GDP, while its share of the total output of manufacturing industries stands at 11%.
Dr. Al-Atrash pointed out that this sector is also among the top employers in the industrial landscape, providing around 10,000 job opportunities, 95% of which are filled by local workers, and 35% of whom are women—one of the highest female participation rates among industrial sectors.
He noted that the sector has achieved significant and growing exports, reaching 612 million dinars last year, with a 15% growth rate compared to previous years. From the beginning of this year until the end of July, exports amounted to 353 million dinars, marking a 7% increase.
According to Al-Atrash, Jordan’s pharmaceutical and medical supplies exports reach 80 global markets, with key destinations including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Algeria, the UAE, and the United States, which together account for 71% of total exports.
He also highlighted that the Economic Modernization Vision has classified the pharmaceutical industry among the high-value sectors prioritized under the economic growth pillar. The vision sets ambitious goals for the next decade to position Jordan as a regional hub for pharmaceutical products.
These targets include increasing exports to over 2.1 billion dinars by 2033, boosting value-added to around 1.7 billion dinars, raising employment in the sector to 16,000 workers, and attracting 1.1 billion dinars in investments through 11 strategic initiatives.
Al-Atrash further praised the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) for its key role in supporting and advancing the pharmaceutical industry through continuous monitoring, and the introduction of modern, world-class regulations and systems, which have helped elevate the industry to higher levels of excellence. (Petra)
