Insulin to Innovation: Julphar’s Role in Revolutionizing Global Health

Julphar was founded in 1980 by the vision of Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. Nowadays, Julphar is a global pharmaceutical powerhouse hailing from Ras Al Khaimah, developed to become the largest producer of insulin in the world and a leading provider of innovative healthcare solutions across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. With a focus on quality as well as accessibility, Julphar assumes an important role for the betterment of healthcare by providing millions of people in five continents with access to affordable medicines for saving lives.

Julphar, of which its more formal name is Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries, was established with the goal of providing accessible, affordable medicines. Within four years of the incorporation of Julphar, it received approval from the UAE Ministry of Health for the first 30 of its products. For nearly two decades, Julphar has proved itself to be an excellent growth opportunity. In late 1980s, it diversified its manufacturing portfolio by adding liquids and semi-solids. By 1998, the company had set up three more units (Julphar II, III, and IV). The company, thus, became the epicentre of this regional health care industry. Turning Point Julphar, which undertook a major overhaul in 2012, witnessed the launching of its class-first biotechnology facility in the UAE. This gave Julphar the rank of one of the topmost producers of insulin in the world, marking a significant milestone in consideration of the world’s mushrooming diabetes epidemic.

Julphar’s insulin is based on recombinant DNA technology, thereby becoming the first and the only company in the Middle East to manufacture this crucial raw material. Julphar Diabetes Solutions, this initiative ascertains to the company’s leadership status worldwide in insulin production but at the same time has taken considerable strides in handling diabetes in the region. Julphar expanded its global footprint through international facilities in Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh. The establishment of Julphar Ethiopia in 2013 represented the company’s serious foray into the African market as an important step to enhance healthcare solutions among underserved populations.

Julphar has a diversified product portfolio similar to its diversity in geographical reach. The company has specialized in general medications and special products that target a vast spectrum of therapeutic areas, amongst them diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, conditions involving the respiratory system, and pain relief. Julphar also has extensive experience in the treatment of wounds and scars, gynaecology, dermatology, cardiology, and so much more. Its most popular product has been the MEBO Moist Exposure Burn Ointment, used to heal burns. This ointment became popular, and Julphar developed MEBO Scar to help both old and new scars, thus helping patients regain the health of traumatized skin.

Julphar operates 16 internationally accredited manufacturing facilities, 13 of which are located in the UAE. Manufacturing facilities of such magnitudes can produce as much as one million boxes of medicine a day in an interest in giving the highest quality with high standards in production. With some 5,000 employees, Julphar is not only one of the leaders in the pharmaceutical industry but also plays a significant role in the UAE economy. The company also invested heavily in transportation and logistics arm MenaCool to ensure safe and efficient deliveries of medicines across the MENA region. This focus on distribution goes to aid the causes of Julphar so that their products will find the needy patients.

Quality and innovation are supposed values that are being met by Julphar, as the company won several awards in recognition of quality and innovation. Julphar was crowned as the number one pharmaceutical manufacturer in the UAE in 2018. This was a great achievement for the company as well as its partner Merck & Co., as they won the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals award to become the first pharmaceutical company in the Middle East and Africa to win this accolade.

Julphar won the Frost & Sullivan 2018 Best Emerging GCC Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company of the Year award due to its sustained focus on emerging markets. These give ample proof of Julphar’s leadership in the pharmaceutical industry both regionally and globally.