Al Amana gets NMC plant contract

The New Medical Centre (NMC) Group has awarded Al Amana the contract to build a pharmaceutical plant in Mussafah industrial area, a top official of the group said yesterday.

"The plant will be ready by November 2002 and then on everything will move as per our plans," said B.R. Shetty, vice-chairman and managing director. Total outlay of this landmark project, the first of its kind in the capital, is pegged at Dh70 million, comprising several packages.

The project is in line with the group's objective of expanding its business in the healthcare sector. Clearance has been secured from General Industry Corp to set up the plant on 8.5 acres of land.

The plant, to be established by NMC's Neopharma Co LLC, will make formulations, mainly generics. The company has product licence and technical collaboration from Parke-Davis, a U.S. multinational, he said. "By manufacturing formulations here, we can offer pharmaceutical products at a moderate price. Our motto will be high quality and low price."

The NMC Group is one of the pioneers in the healthcare sector in the UAE with NMC Hospitals in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, where half a million patients seek medical attention every year. The group's healthcare trading services, the New Medical Centre for Trading in Abu Dhabi and the New Medical Centre Trading Establishment in Dubai, provide a comprehensive range of products and services.

The NMC Trading Division is setting up a 10,000 square feet branch in Kuwait. "The NMC Group's pharma division represents some of the most prestigious agencies and enjoys the patronage of Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defence and all oil companies," he said. NMC has tie-ups with Lagap and Pasteur Merieux also.