Photo: Internet

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed an $8 million loan with Imexpharm Corporation to help the company sustain its production of generic medicines despite global supply disruptions caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Asia has witnessed disruptions across the pharmaceutical supply chain in 2020, including a shortage of active pharmaceutical ingredients,” said Head of Health and Education Investments at ADB's Private Sector Operations Department Aniruddha Patil. “This project demonstrates ADB’s continued efforts to enhance health outcomes in Viet Nam by encouraging the development and use of local generic medicines.”

“We are pleased to be working with ADB,” said Imexpharm’s Chairman Nguyen Quoc Dinh. “The financing will improve our liquidity situation and ensure a consistent supply of affordable generic drugs to hospitals and pharmacies across Viet Nam.”

This debt financing is part of ADB’s $20 billion assistance announced on 13 April to help its developing members manage the pandemic.

Imexpharm was established in 1977 and initially incorporated in 1983 as the Dong Thap Pharmaceutical Union. The firm was transformed from a state-owned enterprise into a joint-stock company and renamed Imexpharm Corporation, and its shares were listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange on 4 December 2006. As of 30 September 2020, Imexpharm had 1,252 employees, total assets of 2.072 billion VND and 6 pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities./.

Khac Kien