Julphar to bring 'Life-saving' Diabetes Medication to Pakistan

- Deal part of company’s expansion plans for South Asia region

- Partnership with one of Pakistan’s top five pharmaceutical companies

 

Julphar, one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in the Middle East and Africa, has announced a partnership with leading pharmaceutical company, Searle, to bring life-saving diabetes medication to Pakistan. 

 

Through the agreement, Julphar’s human insulin formulations of Juslin will be made available to patients in the South Asian nation, a country where there is a particularly high prevalence of diabetes. The move forms part of Julphar expansion plans for the region and comes a month after the company announced that it had signed an exclusive distribution agreement with medical technology company Valeritas Holdings, Inc. to bring its V-Go® Wearable Insulin Delivery device to the GCC.   

 

Commenting on the announcement, Irfan Nabi, Director Intercontinental Julphar said: “We are delighted to have reached a deal with Searle to bring insulin to diabetics in Pakistan. Diabetes is a growing epidemic in the country and the sharp rise in the number of new cases could leave many patients without the insulin they need unless supply is improved. 

 

“Through the agreement, a large number of diabetic patients in Pakistan will have access to vital medicine that will enable them to live healthy lives. We look forward to working hand in hand with Searle to bring our leading insulin medicines to those who need it most.”

 

Searle manufactures and sells pharmaceutical and consumer products in South Asia and East Africa. It is one of the top five pharmaceutical companies in Pakistan and specializes in diabetes and cardiology.

 

Diabetes is a growing epidemic in Pakistan. According to the International Diabetes Federation, there were 7,474,000 cases of diabetes in Pakistan in 2017. Around 150,000 to 200,000 Pakistanis lose a limb due to complications from diabetes every year, according to estimates. The vast majority of amputations can be prevented through early treatment, but poor healthcare and a lack of awareness means that for many in Pakistan, it is not possible to save the leg.

 

South Asia is not the only region Julphar has been exploring this year and the company earlier stated that it had been eyeing Central Asian markets such as Uzbekistan.