The “Snow Pharma” pharmaceutical factory in Kandahar province has substantially increased its annual production capacity for approximately 200 types of medicines since the beginning of the current solar year, raising it from 6 billion units to 14 billion units.
This remarkable expansion represents a major step toward Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical self-sufficiency and reduced reliance on imports.
Mohammad Saeed Sediq, President of Snow Pharma factory in Kandahar, stated: “Snow Pharma has now reached nearly 14 billion units in its production section.
For this reason, new machinery has been imported and installed, and their operations will begin soon.” He emphasized that this capacity increase was implemented to better meet the demands of the domestic market, and the factory is also working on launching additional production sections.
The company’s officials consider improving the quality of medicines and maintaining stable prices as their primary objectives. By utilizing modern equipment and adhering to international standards, they aim to supply high-quality medicines at affordable prices so that Afghan patients can access reliable domestic products with greater confidence.Currently, four major pharmaceutical manufacturing factories are operating in Kandahar, along with four other units engaged in cosmetics and hygiene products.
Together, these facilities supply around 300 different types of medicines and related items to the market.
Abdul Ahad Seddiqi, Head of the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said: “We have only four large medicine production factories in Kandahar, and four other factories operating in the cosmetics sector, which collectively offer approximately 300 types of medicines and materials to the market.”Local production of quality medicines in the country, particularly in Kandahar, has already reduced the need to import certain items.
Nevertheless, the majority of medicines consumed in Afghanistan are still imported from Iran, India, China, Russia, and several other Asian and European countries. These imported drugs are generally more expensive than domestically produced ones, and there are ongoing concerns among consumers and specialists regarding the quality of some imported products.
Snow Pharma, established with significant Afghan investment and inaugurated in 1402 solar year (2023), began with a high initial production capacity. The factory focuses on essential medicines, including those for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, playing a vital role in strengthening Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical industry.
The expansion of this factory not only creates more employment opportunities but also helps reduce the outflow of foreign currency spent on medicine imports.Officials from the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce believe that continuing this trend and launching new phases of pharmaceutical factories will further strengthen domestic medicine production in Afghanistan, improving both the quality and accessibility of standard drugs for citizens.
These developments can serve as a positive signal for domestic and foreign investors to increase their involvement in the country’s pharmaceutical sector.
Ultimately, Snow Pharma’s increase in production capacity to 14 billion units demonstrates the high potential of the pharmaceutical industry in southern Afghanistan.
If this progress continues with government support and improved infrastructure, it could cover a significant portion of the country’s pharmaceutical needs and minimize de
