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Gurgaon, Sep.1 (ANI): Ranbaxy (South Africa) Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited today announced the opening of its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, Be-Tabs Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Plant, at Roodepoort, Johannesburg, South Africa.

The new facility was inaugurated today by Anand Sharma, Minister for Commerce and Industry,in the presence of the Indian High Commissioner, Virendra Gupta and representatives from the South African Department of Trade and Industry.

This will be Ranbaxy’s second manufacturing facility in South Africa and the third in the African continent.

Arun Sawhney, Managing Director, Ranbaxy said: “Ranbaxy has a long standing relationship with Africa. We were the first Indian pharmaceutical company to set up a manufacturing facility in Nigeria, in the late 70’s. Over the years, we have established a strong presence in 43 of the 54 African countries with the aim of providing quality medicines and improving access. The opening of this new manufacturing facility further emphasizes our commitment towards the African continent and South Africa in particular.”

The new facility, built with an investment of USD 30 million will manufacture Analgesics, Cold, Cough and Flu preparations, Anti-Histamines, Anti-Hypertensives, CNS Drugs, Vitamins and Minerals as well as a comprehensive range of over-the-counter medication. The products manufactured will comprise tablets and hard gelatin capsules that will be supplied to current registered regions.

The design of the new facility is determined by the current tablet and capsule production requirements and the plant is capable of producing approximately 1.75 billion units and packaging of 2.0 billion units, annually. Possible expansion could bring about the addition of new products.

Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Saxen van Coller, CEO, Ranbaxy S.A. (Pty) Ltd said, “The capacity to manufacture locally will meet the South African government’s intention to strengthen the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and is expected to further the company’s aim of becoming a more significant provider of pharmaceuticals to the State.”

The new facility in South Africa is equipped with the latest technology, meets international specifications and conforms to cGMP standards. It is designed to meet local regulatory requirements (MCC - South African Medicines Control Council) which implies PIC/S (Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention & Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme) and also WHO standards.

Ranbaxy (S.A.) (Pty) Ltd., based in Centurion, South Africa, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited and is ranked No 5 amongst Generic companies. Ranbaxy South Africa is engaged in the sale and distribution of generic prescription products in the South African healthcare system. Additionally, the Company also offers high quality, affordable, generic Anti HIV medicines (ARVs) to the needy patients in Africa, supporting African Government’s in their efforts to control the AIDS epidemic. (ANI)