Algeria’s Pharmaceutical Industry Reaches a Pivotal Milestone: A National Production Surge with Global Ambitions

✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

With 76.8% domestic coverage, Algeria emerges as a regional pharmaceutical powerhouse, spearheading innovation, biosimilar manufacturing, and export expansion into Africa, the Arab world, and Europe.

Algiers, Algeria | May 24th, 2025 — Algeria’s pharmaceutical industry has achieved a remarkable milestone, with national production now covering an impressive 76.8% of the country’s medicinal needs, a level few African nations can claim. This figure includes both prescription drugs for community pharmacies and specialized treatments used in hospitals for chronic and serious illnesses, underscoring the maturity and resilience of the domestic sector.

This landmark achievement is the result of a strategically orchestrated national effort, backed by strong political will at the highest level of the state. From the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Pharmaceutical Industry, to the adoption of a robust regulatory framework, the promotion of exports, and support for local manufacturers, Algeria has clearly demonstrated its determination to reduce dependence on imports and position itself as a credible regional hub in the pharmaceutical sector.

From Crisis Management to Medical Sovereignty

The COVID-19 pandemic offered a litmus test for Algeria’s pharmaceutical capabilities. While global supply chains collapsed, Algeria succeeded in averting major drug shortages thanks to its growing domestic production. Notably, for the first time in the country’s history, a biological anticoagulant was manufactured locally using living cells, a treatment previously sourced exclusively from abroad. Several laboratories have since followed suit by launching biosimilar versions of this critical medicine.

Among the standout contributors is Frater Raze Laboratories, which produced nearly all the medications included in the national COVID-19 treatment protocol. Today, the laboratory offers over 130 pharmaceutical references spanning major therapeutic families, including oncology and cardiology.

Nine Algerian Laboratories Eye Global Markets

Algeria’s pharmaceutical success is also driven by a vibrant research and development ecosystem powered by local expertise and international collaboration. A newly launched incubator aims to spearhead international research projects, with plans to integrate more than 100 researchers in the coming years.

In line with Algeria’s broader economic diversification strategy, nine national pharmaceutical laboratories have declared their intent to broaden their activity scope, with an emphasis on greater integration of local raw materials. These laboratories have already made inroads into a dozen African countries and several Arab states, with aspirations to expand to at least 20 African nations, 10 Arab countries, and launch exports to Europe.

Saidal Enters a New Phase: Specialized Drugs and Vaccine Development

Long known for its generic drug production, the state-owned Saidal Group is undergoing a strategic transformation, now investing in the development of more advanced treatments, notably for cancer and diabetes, along with basic medications and vaccines. Currently, over 130 new products are in the development pipeline, with dozens expected to be registered by year’s end.

Foreign Investment and Strategic Partnerships

The dynamism of Algeria’s pharmaceutical landscape continues to attract major global players. Sanofi, present in Algeria for more than 30 years, now manufactures 70% of its medicines locally and is working to turn Algeria into an industrial platform for the African continent.

Biopharm and the Local Production of Anti-Cancer Drugs

One of the most notable breakthroughs comes from Biopharm, which has launched local production of anti-cancer medications, previously imported at the cost of hundreds of millions of euros annually. The facility boasts a 20 million-tablet annual capacity and is staffed by young Algerian researchers operating in a state-of-the-art research center. To further reinforce this momentum, a faculty of pharmacy has been opened with direct links to industrial partners—ensuring synergy between education, research, and production.

As of 2025, 14 new investment projects for cancer treatment production have been launched, with several already operational. In parallel, four insulin production units have begun marketing their first batches since 2024, boasting a combined capacity that doubles Algeria’s national requirements.

A Vision of Expansion and Sovereignty

With its existing human, logistical, and financial assets, Algeria is now eyeing a qualitative leap in both the volume and quality of its pharmaceutical exports. Authorities aim to scale from the current 30 exported products to over 150, positioning Algeria as a rising force in the global pharmaceutical supply chain.

Regulatory Reform: Permanent Licensing and Tariff Revisions

In a decisive move to consolidate the sector, the Minister of Pharmaceutical Industry, Ouacim Kouidri, recently announced the issuance of definitive five-year licenses to pharmaceutical establishments that meet regulatory standards—ending the previous system of annually renewable provisional licenses.

Kouidri’s ministry is also pursuing a comprehensive revision of accreditation and pricing conditions, based on manufacturing standards. Simultaneously, the process for drug registration and approval of medical devices will be restructured. Laboratories are now in a transitional period to conduct bioequivalence studies for specific drug categories.

The ultimate objective is to direct investment towards the domestic production of medical devices, which Algeria still imports at a rate of 98%, marking the next frontier in achieving full pharmaceutical sovereignty.

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