EBRD Supports Local Pharma Growth in Uzbekistan

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is backing the expansion of domestic pharmaceutical production in Uzbekistan by supporting leading local manufacturer Nika Pharm.

The company will use an EBRD loan of up to $20 million to restructure its balance sheet, modernize equipment, and upgrade production facilities. This will increase output, improve product quality, and align processes with WHO GMP standards, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

Since becoming an EBRD client in 2021, Nika Pharm has built a reputation for producing tablets, capsules, sachets, and nasal sprays for colds, as well as medicines in gastroenterology, pediatrics, and urology.

The project is expected to expand production capacity, boost operational efficiency, and increase the output of generics and prescription drugs by 140 per cent, strengthening the company’s position domestically and regionally.

Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical market is growing rapidly, with imports currently covering 75 per cent of demand. By supporting local production, the EBRD project contributes to the government’s goal of raising domestic market share to 80 per cent by 2029.

Overall, the EBRD has invested over $6.6 billion in 196 projects in Uzbekistan, focusing on private sector growth and sustainable economic development.