Vitebsk enterprise "Belvitunipharm" plans to launch the first line for the production of medical drugs

May 26, Vitebsk / Sergey Kochetov - BELTA/. RUP "Belvitunipharm" has begun the installation of the first line for packaging medicinal preparations worth about Br3.1 billion, the enterprise's director Oleg Merkushev told a BELTA correspondent. The equipment was manufactured in Germany by order of the Vitebsk enterprise. The modern line for packaging and packing medicinal preparations is fully computerized and allows for the packaging of various forms of solid medicinal substances, with the time for retooling for a new format not exceeding 20 minutes. The maximum productivity of the line is up to 400 blisters (primary packages of 5 to 10 tablets) per minute, and the technology used minimizes waste of packaging materials. Testing and servicing of the equipment will be provided directly by the manufacturer via the Internet. The commissioning of the line, scheduled for June, will allow the enterprise to master the production of 13 types of preparations by the end of 2010, and in the future to increase this number to 50 types, of which 48 preparations are planned to be produced in tablet form, and the rest in gelatin capsules. These will mainly be anti-inflammatory, antibacterial preparations, including those intended for the treatment of cardiovascular and digestive system diseases. The Jordanian pharmaceutical enterprise JPM is also a partner of the Vitebsk enterprise. The Jordanian manufacturer plans to transfer technologies for the production of a total of 190 preparations, of which about 80% are import-substituting. In addition, work is currently underway to corporatize "Belvitunipharm". The enterprise is interested in attracting an investor, including at the stage of corporatization. "We are currently negotiating with our Jordanian partners on these issues and have reached a preliminary agreement on their participation in privatization by contributing intangible assets in the form of medicinal preparation production technologies to the authorized capital of the future joint-stock company," said Oleg Merkushev. The second stage of the project implementation is planned for 2011 and involves the creation of a full technological cycle production. The enterprise plans to purchase two more lines, including one for the production of soft medicinal forms. Concurrently, work is underway to justify investments for the third stage of the project. It involves the commissioning of another production building with an area of about 20 thousand square meters, where production of medicinal preparations will also be organized according to a full technological cycle, and warehouse premises will be equipped. The enterprise is focused not only on the production but also on the development of modern medicinal preparations, for which the organization of a research center in conjunction with the Vitebsk State Medical University is planned. To increase export potential, it is planned to certify the production in accordance with international GMP quality standards. In the total production volume, solid medicinal forms will account for 68%, soft forms (ointments and gels) - about 11%, and the rest - sterile injectable preparations. The total cost of the project is estimated at about 80 million euros. The annual revenue of "Belvitunipharm" at full capacity utilization is projected at around 100 million euros. RUPP "BelVitunipharm" was established in October 2008 to implement a project for the organization of chemical and pharmaceutical production in Vitebsk.-0-