Ranbaxy starts Malaysia plant

Ranbaxy Malaysia Sdn. Bhd (RMSB), a subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, today announced the commissioning of its new manufacturing facility in Sungai Petani near Kedah in Malaysia.

The new formulation facility would complement Ranbaxys' existing manufacturing activity in Malaysia and help make Malaysia a hub for the Asean region markets for the company.

RMSB will also use the facility to manufacture products, for supply to other Ranbaxy subsidiaries and operations within this region.

Brian W Tempest, CEO, Ranbaxy Laboratories, said that there was a growing demand in the Asean markets for generic and branded medicines. So, the objective behind the capacity-expansion is to meet this growing demand.

"This new facility, will help to expand and consolidate our presence in the region," he added.

Ranbaxy sources said that the new plant was equipped with the latest technology, and houses sophisticated pre-logic control (PLC) based process equipment, that meets international specifications and conforms to global manufacturing practices (GMP) standards.

Ranbaxy entered Malaysia in 1983, by forming a joint venture. In 1987, it set up a dosage forms manufacturing unit in the country, to cater to the growing needs of the local market, as well as for the Singapore market. In October 2002, RMSB became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy.

Currently, the Malaysian subsidiary company has a range of products that are brand-leaders in hospitals, among general practitioners, and in the pharmacy segment commanding the highest market shares.

RMSB has marketing collaborations with Schwarz Pharma (Germany), Desitin (Germany), Pharmascience (Canada), and Almirall Prodesfarma (Spain), to market their brands in Malaysia and Singapore.

RMSB is also credited with the distinction of having the first and the only facility of its kind in Malaysia, for the manufacture of HIV/ARV medicines. This has been in existence since 2003.