Martindale Pharma, a UK-based specialty pharmaceutical company, is expanding its international footprint in Saudi Arabia by signing a new distribution agreement with its long-standing partner Faisal Musaed El Seif Saudi Pharmaceutical, one of the leading healthcare distributors in the country. This agreement forms part of Martindale Pharma’s strategy to expand its international business and will actively support further growth of its emergency care and hospital-initiated medicines product range in the country.

In addition, Martindale Pharma has received marketing authorizations for six products in Saudi Arabia and has been awarded multiple products on the SGH 38 tender for supply to Ministry of Health Hospitals in Saudi Arabia and hospitals in UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.

“We are delighted to extend our strategic relationship with Faisal Musaed El Seif Saudi Pharmaceutical to make our portfolio of emergency care and hospital-initiated medicines available to healthcare providers in this growing market for pharmaceuticals,” said Michael Harris, chief executive officer, Martindale Pharma. “This extended and deepened relationship coupled with national marketing authorizations for some of our emergency care products, will help drive sales in this key market. Saudi Arabia is now our largest international market and we continue to see a strong opportunity for growth in this region, particularly in the area of analgesic and cardiovascular drugs.”

Under the new agreement with Faisal Musaed El Seif Saudi Pharmaceutical, Martindale Pharma’s portfolio will be promoted via a dedicated sales team to both private and public hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

The award under the SGH 38 tender is for supply a total of 13 products to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health hospitals. The products awarded represent a 30% increase in the number of product lines and an increase of 70% over the previous tender in value. Supplies to hospitals under SGH 38 are expected to start in September 2016 and will run for 12 months.

SGH 38 is an open tender and Martindale Pharma competes to supply these products against the major pharma companies.

“The opportunity in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region for Martindale Pharma’s sterile injection business has been driven by three factors; firstly significant investment in a modern, efficient manufacturing facility in the UK, secondly the reputation of Martindale Pharma and its partners in the region for our ability to consistently supply a range of high quality products at competitive prices, and thirdly the national regulatory approval of Martindale Pharma products,” said Mr. Harris.