Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene and Nepal Drugs Limited (NDL) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen domestic pharmaceutical production.

The MoU aims to produce 36 types of essential medicines from Nepal Drugs Limited within next two years.

Currently, Nepal Drugs Limited is producing 11 types of essential medicines. Under the new plan, medicines for chronic diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes would be produced within the country. For this, necessary research and development, quality test, production permit and technical preparations would be expedited.

As per the agreement, necessary budget would be managed for the implementation of the programme and priority would be given to domestic production in the supply of essential medicines to the government health institutions.

According to the MoU, the Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene and Nepal Drugs Limited will make arrangements for the procurement of medicines required by the government health institutions through an institutional and regular system. This is expected to make the government procurement process more effective and help in ensuring the utilization of medicines produced by Nepal Drugs Limited and also in market expansion.

According to the Ministry, the quality of all the medicines produced by Nepal Drugs Limited would be ensured in accordance with national and international standards.

The Ministry has expressed confidence that the move would contribute to the government’s long-term goal of promoting domestic pharmaceutical industry, increasing self-reliance on medicines, minimizing dependence on import and ensuring regular availability of quality and affordable essential medicines to the citizens.