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The opening of the general anaesthetics manufacturing line at Aspen marks a significant step in consolidating Gqeberha's status as the pharmaceutical hub on the African continent.
That was the word from the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competitions, Ebrahim Patel, who delivered the keynote address at the official opening of the production line on Monday.
He said at the government's investment conference in 2018, Aspen had committed to investing R3.4 billion to build world-class sterile production facilities.
He said that was made possible through a partnership with his Department using a facility available to companies to expand and encourage investment.
"That investment led to two critical production lines. The first is the Covid19 vaccines produced under contract for Johnson and Johnson, here in the Eastern Cape. The only Covid19 production facility currently in operation anywhere on the African continent and the largest J&J contract facility in the world."
To date, based on trade data he said he looked at, Patel said Aspen produced more than 100 million doses of the vaccine, here in South Africa, in both test batches as well as completed batches that can be administered to persons. Production has been ramped up, particularly since September this year."
"As I said this plant is the only production facility for Covid19 vaccines and we've negotiated with Johnson and Johnson that from September this year, 100% of the production is intended to be available to the rest of the African continent."
"Africa is lagging behind the rest of the world on vaccinations, it impacts African lives and economic growth on the continent and by having a facility available here, it's saying that the production that comes from here should be directed particularly at the continent. We open up opportunities for the rest of Africa."
Aspen Group Chief Executive, Stephen Saad, said: “The opening of our general anaesthetics manufacturing line is a significant milestone for Aspen as it will serve as a crucial anaesthetics hub for this critical medication.”
“This is one of the world’s largest general anaesthetics production lines and it positively positions Aspen’s integrated supply, marketing, and sale of anaesthetics globally. Our investment of more than R3.0 billion in this facility is the single largest investment in the pharmaceutical industry in the country and aligns with our commitment to supporting the industrialisation of South Africa,” he said.
