Key Sectors

Pharmaceutical
The pharmaceutical industry sector is witnessing a noticeable development in view of the use of scientific methods and modern technology and the availability of qualified human resources in the field of manufacturing medicines. Pharmaceutical exports are second only to the garments industry, positioning it as the first true leading industry in Jordan. It also has the ability to attract large amounts of foreign investment in the field of research and development because of its ability to meet the commitments of intellectual property rights.

For the past 40 years the industry has grown to 18 companies, becoming an export driven industry providing quality, safe and effective pharmaceuticals at affordable prices for millions of citizens in Jordan and the MENA region. Pharmaceutical exports are second only to the garments industry, positioning it as the first true leading industry in Jordan. With a capital investment of over 400 million US dollars the pharmaceutical industry has become an important source of export with an overall sales growth of over three and a half folds from 68 million US dollars in 1991 to 226 million US dollars in the year 2004.

Jordan’s pharmaceutical industry has always been export oriented; a fact that has not changed in light of the new intellectual property protections, but the way they do business has changed dramatically, with a new focus on building international alliances.

Today, Jordan’s pharmaceutical export base is much more diversified, and serves over 60 markets worldwide. With 70% of its sales accruing from exports, the pharmaceutical sector meets around 40% of the demands of the domestic market by value and more than 55% by units. It employs directly more than 4000 people

This sector specializes and excels in producing branded generics ranging from many dosage forms such as solids, semi-solids, Liquids, aerosols and indictables as well as producing various licensed products from multi-national companies. Jordan’s pharmaceutical sector has adjusted to the new intellectual property regime and has capitalized on the trade benefits that the WTO and US-Jordan FTA provided.