GlaxoSmithKline opens Rs 217 m facility

Indunil HEWAGE

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) yesterday opened its state of the art pharmaceutical (Panadol) manufacturing facility with an investment of Rs 217 million, and would probably be one of the single largest investments in Sri Lankan pharmaceutical industry.

Minster of Health Maithripala Sirisena commissioning the GSK Panadol Manufacturing Plant in Moratuwa. Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Postal Services Jeevan Kumaranatunga and GSK, Consumer Healthcare Sri Lanka Managing Director T.S Dayanand look on. Picture by Chaminda Hittatiya

GSK Consumer Healthcare, Sri Lanka Managing Director, T.S Dayanand said, “Opening of the factory marks another millstone for our journey towards the development of the local pharmaceutical industry and it has the capacity to manufacture 2.5 billion tablets per annum.

“With this,GSK is keen to further invest in the Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturing industry whilst plans have been drawn up to localize the production of more and more GSK products. “With the country’s journey towards development, GSK, is committed to increase its long standing footprint in Sri Lanka enabling Sri Lankan people ‘to do more, feel better and live longer’.

“The factory is designed to comply with GSK’S stringent global standards, is equipped with state of the art laboratory, staffed by qualified workforce.

The tablets produced at this facility will be on par with the Panadol produced in countries such as UK and Australia,” he said.

GSK set up its first pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka in1958 and has made continuous investments to develop world class products. GSK, Sri Lanka has made investments amounting to Rs 500 million during the last five years on infrastructure developments. In addition, GSK is planning to bring in foreign investments close to Rs 1.4 billion to strengthen the working capital requirement of the company. Thisinvestment is expected to be made in the second quarter of 2012.