Medical Supply Co. Ltd. (MS) announced today that it is the first Cambodian pharmaceutical manufacturer to earn international certification for the quality of its products. MS Company's effort to achieve certification was supported over 16 months by the Mekong Private Sector Development Facility, an initiative of the International Finance Corporation that supports small and medium enterprise development in the lower Mekong region.
According to Mr. Laing Ly, MS Company’s Director General, earning both ISO 9001:2000 and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification will benefit consumers as well as the company. “Now that we can meet the highest international standards, we will produce a broader range of drugs here in Cambodia. This will bring down prices of products that will no longer have to be imported and ensure they are high quality.
“Producing quality pharmaceuticals locally at lower prices is important for health reasons as well. According the World Health Organization (WHO), the sale of fake and sub-standard drugs is a serious and growing problem in Cambodia and other Mekong region countries. In 2001, WHO found nearly 3000 outlets selling medicine illegally in Cambodia and some 1000 unregistered drugs on sale. Although fake or out-of-date medicine has little or no therapeutic effect, and with serious illnesses such malaria and tuberculosis often leads to death, consumers continue to buy substandard drugs. For some, the price of quality imports is higher than what they can afford. Many don’t even realize they are buying poor quality or fake medicine. We believe our company can help to save lives.”
Qualifying for GMP and ISO certification is a long and arduous process. GMP certification demonstrates that a pharmaceutical company meets the highest standards with regard to product quality. ISO certification demonstrates the company meets the highest standards of management.
In meeting the strict requirements for GMP and ISO certification Mr. Laing Ly had high praise for the excellent support provided by MPDF. “Beginning in July 2002, MPDF helped us set up all the procedures required for quality assurance both in manufacturing and in management of our company. This included analyzing where improvement was required, developing procedural manuals and training staff to use them. We first got to know MPDF in 1999, when they helped us raise the financing necessary to restructure our company’s debt.”
MS Company has been in business since 1982 when it began wholesaling pharmaceuticals. It has since grown to be one of Cambodia’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers. MS produced some $2.5 million worth of products in 2003, which represent 7-10% of the Cambodian market. The company’s production capacity is $10 million.
MS Company has a workforce of about 160 local staff, with 80 in the manufacturing and the rest in trading and distribution. The factory currently produces over 130 pharmaceuticals in capsule and tablet form and distributes these countrywide by truck and boat to some 2,000 outlets.
According to Mr. Laing Ly, with ISO and GMP certification, which are both required for exports to most countries, MS Company plans to market its pharmaceuticals in neighboring countries and Africa. “Our chances for success in this regard are quite high because with lower labor costs in Cambodia, our products will be priced below those of manufacturers in developed countries and even below those manufactured in neighboring countries where labor costs are higher.”
For further information contact Mr. Sok Meng, Office Manager, MPDF Cambodia.
Telephone: (855-23) 210 922. Email: msok@ifc.org
