Syria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector is maintaining domestic supply stability while positioning itself for renewed export growth, according to Joseph Bahri, Managing Director of Bahripharm.
Bahri said the country currently has around 90 licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers, with approximately 60 to 70 operating actively despite the challenges faced during the past decade. He noted that production capacity had largely remained intact through a combination of government tenders, United Nations procurement programmes and export orders.
“The sector remains structurally stable and capable of meeting domestic demand,” Bahri said.
He explained that Syria’s pharmaceutical market operates under a regulated pricing framework, with the Ministry of Health setting fixed prices for prescription medicines and most over-the-counter products. Food supplements remain the only category governed by market-driven pricing. According to Bahri, established manufacturers compete primarily on brand reputation and product reliability, while smaller players often rely on promotional incentives to secure pharmacy shelf space.
Bahri also highlighted recent improvements in supply chain and procurement procedures, describing them as a significant operational shift for manufacturers. Previously, pharmaceutical companies were required to secure import licences and process payments through government banking channels, creating procurement timelines that could extend to six months.
“Today, the system is far more streamlined,” he said. “Manufacturers can issue a pro forma invoice, arrange payment through commercial banking channels and receive shipments within two to three weeks.”
He added that customs procedures had become more predictable, helping companies improve production planning and reduce uncertainty.
On export opportunities, Bahri said Syrian pharmaceutical manufacturers continue to benefit from competitive production costs and recognised quality standards in markets including Yemen, Libya, Sudan and Iraq.
“In certain cases, buyers prefer Syrian medicines over alternatives from larger producing countries due to perceived quality and price balance,” he said.
Looking ahead, Bahri identified export expansion into selected African markets as a medium-term strategic objective, while emphasising the importance of regulatory clarity, raw material access and stable financial channels to support further investment and industry growth.