Boehringer Ingelheim commences local production of first batch of antihypertensive medicines in Algeria

Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, announced today the first locally produced batch of its antihypertensive medication in Algeria as a result of its collaboration with BIOPHARM to manufacture its medicinal innovation to combat high blood pressure.

Earlier in 2016, Boehringer Ingelheim boosted its local capabilities in Algeria by transferring production of its antihypertensive drug to the BIOPHARM manufacturing plant in Oued Smar. The manufacturing facility applies the highest international standards of pharmaceutical manufacturing. Production is backed by a robust approach ensuring international best practices, technology transfers as capacity building.

In Algeria, the prevalence of hypertension is high and amounts to a prevalence that varies from 35.3% to 44%. Primary prevention programs continue to emphasize on adopting healthy lifestyles as effective means to prevent and control hypertension.[1] This reflects Boehringer Ingelheim commitment to address the required needs of patients within Algeria.

Professor Naima Hammoudi, Head of Cardiology Department at the Specialized Hospital ‘Maouch’, President of the Algerian Society of Hypertension (SAHA) and Immediate Past President of the Algerian Society of Cardiology said, “Controlling hypertension is a public health priority in Algeria. According a recent study, STEPWISE 2019, which was conducted in alignment with the World Health Organization, hypertension was estimated to be prevalent in 24% across the adults in Algeria. As a disease, hypertension is often under-diagnosed, and the therapeutic goal is rarely achieved. We must focus our efforts to drive a stronger diagnosis process.”

“In addition to adhering to the right medical, consideration should be given to self-monitoring and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring  (ABMP), validated by all the societies, as this would allow to avoid the dreadful complications of this condition. High Blood Pressure is considered a silent killer. Its complications are severe on the heart and the vessels (myocardial infraction, stroke, heart failure, as well as handicap. The necessary treatments exist and have proven their effectiveness in combination with the hygiene and dietary measures. Three drug classes are validated by the latest international recommendations headed by the renin angiotensin system (RAS) antagonists. Efforts to locally produce these antihypertensives mark another step-in increasing access to care for hypertensive patients,” added Hammoudi.

Thoraya BENCHEIKH , Site Manager at Oued S’mar - BIOPHARM also noted, “The success of the production agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim is a result of positive collaborations between the private and public sectors, which encourage local production of medicines. Working together, not only are we reducing the risk profile through easier access to a key therapeutic innovation that combats high blood pressure, but also advancing the profile of Algeria as a major production hub for the pharmaceutical sector in the region.”

Bachir Batel, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma, North West Africa at Boehringer Ingelheim commented, “The production of the first hypertensive medication in Algeria is a key milestone in delivering upon our promise in boosting access and availability of our treatments through local productions that address unmet medical needs for patients. Our collaboration with BIOPHARM reflects our commitment towards nurturing such partnerships that seek to strengthen national healthcare capabilities. We aim to work with our partners in boosting capacity, while also building and facilitating technology transfers and ensuring patients’ access to needed medications. We take a holistic approach by integrating research, partnerships, medical education and upskilling efforts to improve the overall of healthcare in Algeria.”

Boehringer Ingelheim remains focused towards sustainable partnerships that are based on solid foundations by leveraging synergies and a production powerhouse while also driving knowledge and technology transfers.

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About Boehringer Ingelheim

Improving the health of humans and animals is the goal of the research-driven pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim. The focus in doing so is on diseases for which no satisfactory treatment option exists to date. The company therefore concentrates on developing innovative therapies that can extend patients’ lives. In animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim stands for advanced prevention.

Family-owned since it was established in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the pharmaceutical industry’s top 20 companies. Some 50,000 employees create value through innovation daily for the three business areas human pharmaceuticals, animal health and biopharmaceuticals. In 2018, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of around 17.5 billion euros. R&D expenditure of almost 3.2 billion euros corresponded to 18.1 per cent of net sales.

As a family-owned company, Boehringer Ingelheim plans in generations and focuses on long-term success. The company therefore aims at organic growth from its own resources with simultaneous openness to partnerships and strategic alliances in research. In everything it does, Boehringer Ingelheim naturally adopts responsibility towards humankind and the environment.

For more information, please visit the company’s social media platforms for the region: Facebook or Twitter  

For further information, please contact:

Sara Shamel

Head of External Communications - META

Boehringer Ingelheim | Middle East, Turkey and Africa

sara.shamel@boehringer-ingelheim.com

[1] Hypertension prevalence, awareness and control in Arab countries: A systematic review | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4445843/