Dr Michael K. Obeng, the Ghanaian-born Beverly Hills plastic surgeon who gained global recognition last year after removing Gorilla Glue from the hair of an African-American woman has reached an agreement with Sushen Medicamentos PVT. LTD to build a pharmaceutical plant at Akwamu in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
The plant which would be completed at a cost of US$50million will take approximately 14 months to complete and would be constructed on 100 acres of land granted to him by the Akwamu State.
Addressing a press briefing on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, in Accra, Dr Obeng said the first phase of the plant – a partnership between his MiKO Pharma and Sushen – would be up and running nine months post commencement of the project on July 1, 2022.
He said when completed, the plant would manufacture affordable, effective and World Health Organization (WHO)-Good Manufacturing Practices medications that meet the highest international standards, for the treatment of high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, malaria and pain.
Dr Obeng was hopeful that these medications will make a vital contribution in curbing and mitigating the challenges and risks associated with counterfeit medications imported from parts of China, India and Pakistan.
“The first phase of the project which is estimated between five to eight million dollars will be up and running in about nine months after we break ground,” Dr Obeng, Founder and CEO of MiKO Pharma said.
“Our primary objective for this exciting partnership is to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa in order to improve public health outcomes, not to mention the positive economic impact across the African continent.”
“Our primary objective for this exciting partnership is to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa in order to improve public health outcomes, not to mention the positive economic impact across the African continent.”
For his part, Mr Tapan Shah, the Executive Director, and Sushen said his outfit was a dynamic global organisation that provides end-to-end pharmaceutical services with broad experience in the development of high-quality pharmaceutical products in the field of generics finished formulations.
“If there’s one thing that the pandemic has taught us is that Africa is fertile with innovation and there’s a massive opportunity for the continent to transform its healthcare. With our broad experience in pharmaceutical product development, we are thrilled to be part of this vision”, Mr Shah said.