New state pharma company - ENFARMA - created in Ecuador

By an executive Decree (No 181) in late December 2009, the Ecuadorian President, Rafael Correa, ordered the creation of a public pharmaceutical company called ENFARMA PA, in what looks to local observers like an attempt by the government to monopolize the drug industry.

The purpose of this company includes R&D of active ingredients for the manufacture of drugs for human and veterinary use, and agronomic. Besides, it will produce medicines already patented - relating to the recent announcement of compulsory licenses in the country. The company will also be involved with the marketing, import, export, packaging, labeling and distribution of drugs.

The company will be responsible for the development of scientific research, experimental programs and technological improvement in pharmaceutical matters and the elaboration of general programs for the promotion and diffusion of the generic medicine use and other drugs.