18 new pharma factories to enhance supply security, cut imports

2026-02-23 - 17:28

Muscat – Oman is expanding its pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity with 18 new production facilities under construction, in addition to 20 facilities currently operating across the sultanate, the Ministry of Health (MoH) stated on Sunday. The announcement was made during a media briefing outlining progress in strengthening pharmaceutical security and advancing localisation in line with Oman Vision 2040. The ministry also confirmed that the health budget for 2026 stands at about RO1bn. Officials said the expansion aims to reduce reliance on imports, strengthen supply chains and create specialised jobs for Omanis. Last year, prices were reduced for 227 medicines, bringing the total number of reduced-price products since 2021 to 591, with an average cut of 27%. Six new factories were licensed in 2025, raising the total to 20, while 389 medicines were manufactured by national companies. Purchase from national companies increased 150% to RO18.65mn in 2025, generating savings of RO27.4mn – up 34% from 2023. H E Dr Hilal Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health, said Oman is building an integrated system providing preventive, curative and rehabilitative care across all governorates. To address hospital waiting lists, MoH is expanding day-care surgery programmes and consolidating specialised surgical services at The Royal Hospital and Khoula Hospital. The minister said decentralisation will enable governorate-level institutions to deliver specialised services under unified standards. H E Dr Hilal Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health He added that several sub-specialties have been localised, reducing overseas treatment referrals. Six epilepsy surgeries were recently performed within one week by national teams, procedures previously conducted abroad. Under the National Organ Transplantation Programme, 38 kidney, 16 liver and 113 corneal transplants were performed last year, alongside the country’s first heart transplant. A new law regulating the transfer and transplantation of human organs and tissues has been issued, supported by national electronic registries and waiting lists. H E Ahmed Salim Al Mandhari, Undersecretary for Health Planning and Regulation, said 2025 marked the launch of the National Health Policy aligned with Vision 2040. Projects ready for implementation include the National Centre for Women and Child Health in Sultan Haitham City, the National Centre for Ophthalmology and Seeb Reference Hospital. The 2025 National Non-Communicable Diseases Survey found 93.1% adults have at least one risk factor. Overweight and obesity stood at 64.7%, hypertension at 28.8% and diabetes at 13.4%. The findings will guide preventive policies. The health workforce grew 17% to 44,298 employees in 2025, with Omanisation of 71.4%. Health infrastructure also expanded significantly, with more than 11 projects completed, including the Central Public Health Laboratory, Khasab Reference Hospital and Suwaiq Hospital. More than 15 projects are under implementation for 2026–2027 – including Sur Reference Hospital, Ja’alan Bani Bu Hasan Hospital, a health centre in Dibba, Saham Hospital, Bausher Health Centre and Ja’alan Bani Bu Ali Hospital – alongside over 20 planned developments aimed at expanding nationwide coverage. Health sector highlights RO1bn health budget for 2026 71.4% Omanisation 38 kidney, 16 liver, 113 corneal, 1 heart transplant in 2025