Iraq’s Council of Ministers has approved new steps to strengthen the local pharmaceutical industry and protect domestic production.
As part of the decision, the government agreed to merge the Pharmaceutical Council, created in 2023, with the Higher Committee for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry. The new, unified body will also include representatives from the Organized Crime Directorate, the Customs Authority, and the Pharmacists’ Syndicate.
To further protect local manufacturers, the cabinet approved an extra 40% customs duty on imported medical and industrial oxygen, whether in gas or liquid form. This rule will apply to imports from all countries and will remain in effect for four years.
Officials say these steps are meant to boost local production, reduce reliance on imports, and support Iraq’s pharmaceutical sector in the long term.
