Guyana in talks with int’l pharmaceutical companies to produce Ozempic-equivalent drugs – Health Minister

– outlines Govt’s long-term vision to transform Guyana into a biomedical, life sciences hub
– as 22 new pharmacists inducted

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Sunday revealed that discussions are underway with several international pharmaceutical companies interested in partnering with Guyana to produce biosimilars, medicines equivalent to well-known drugs such as Ozempic.

“These partnerships will open doors for industrial pharmacy and local pharmaceutical manufacturing. We are laying the groundwork for a future where Guyana not only delivers high-quality healthcare but also contributes to global pharmaceutical innovation,” Dr. Anthony said.
This revelation was made during the White Coat Ceremony held at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown on Sunday to introduce 22 pharmacy graduates who would have completed their studies in November 2023 and spent the past year interning at various health facilities across Guyana are now officially licensed to practices.
He further outlined the government’s long-term vision to transform Guyana into a biomedical and life sciences hub, an initiative designed to foster pharmaceutical research, innovation, and manufacturing.
“We aim to move beyond clinical care and become a producer of pharmaceuticals. Our biodiversity provides a rich source of natural compounds that can lead to new medical discoveries. We need scientists and pharmacists who can help us harness these resources responsibly and effectively,” he said.
To advance this goal, Guyana is preparing to sign an agreement with one of Europe’s largest life sciences parks, located in southern Belgium, to support the establishment of a local life sciences park.
Additionally, the government is finalising an agreement with a French aid organisation to facilitate capacity-building initiatives, including postgraduate training opportunities in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and other European countries.
The minister added that as part of the health sector’s modernisation efforts, the Ministry is currently overhauling the Materials Management Unit (MMU) to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the storage and distribution of medicines across the public health system.
“We are working with Ernst & Young, one of the world’s leading consulting firms, to modernize the MMU. This includes implementing advanced warehousing, inventory tracking, and medication dispensing systems. For too long, we have faced losses due to expired or unaccounted-for drugs. Through digitisation, we will be able to monitor stock in real time, prevent theft, and strengthen supply chain management,” the Minister announced.
Construction has already commenced on five new regional warehouses designed to ensure medicines are stored and distributed under optimal conditions. He emphasised that pharmacists will play a crucial role in this reform process, particularly in maintaining high standards of medication management and distribution across the regions.
On this note, he congratulated the pharmacists on their achievements and urged them to embrace the growing opportunities emerging within Guyana’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
“You are graduating at a very opportune time,” the Minister said. “We have just completed six new hospitals, each equipped with its own outpatient and inpatient pharmacy, and construction is underway on eight more across the country. These new facilities will require skilled and qualified pharmacists like you.”
Dr. Anthony noted that hospitals are already being built in Regions One, Eight, and Nine, while designs are being finalized for a new facility in Region Seven. Plans are also advancing for a hospital in the Mazaruni area, alongside the development of Level 5 hospitals in New Amsterdam (Region Six), Ogle, where the Maternal and Child Health Hospital is being established (Region Four) and West Demerara (Region Three).
He encouraged the graduates to continue their academic pursuits, emphasising the importance of advanced training and research in strengthening Guyana’s pharmaceutical and scientific capacity.
“Pharmacy is a dynamic and exciting field. We want to see more of you advancing to PhD-level studies, engaging in research and innovation. Medicine is constantly evolving, if you stop learning, you fall behind. Guyana needs pharmacists who are inquisitive, ambitious, and committed to driving scientific progress,” he said.
Dr. Anthony further urged graduates to advocate for a more collaborative approach to patient care, highlighting that healthcare delivery in Guyana has often been too “doctor-centric.”
“In modern healthcare, all professionals involved in patient care must work as a team,” he stated. “Pharmacists play a vital role, if you notice a prescription that could cause harmful drug interactions, you must have the confidence to raise it with the prescriber, respectfully but firmly. That is how we ensure patient safety and better outcomes.”
Meanwhile, Chair of the Pharmacy Council of Guyana, Dr. Karishma Jeeboo, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to strengthening pharmacy education, professional standards, and regulatory oversight as she addressed the newly licensed pharmacists.
He explained that, in keeping with the Pharmacy Practitioners’ Act of 2003, the Pharmacy Council of Guyana plays a central role in regulating and supervising the internship programme for graduates of recognised pharmacy institutions.
In recent years, the Council has introduced several key initiatives to enhance the internship experience. These include expanding training sites beyond the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to regional health facilities, revising the internship manual, and enriching intern activities through structured patient care plans, medication histories, and discharge counselling.
Additionally, the Council implemented a structured exit examination, which all current graduates successfully completed, ensuring that interns demonstrate the competencies required for professional pharmacy practice.
Dr. Jeeboo noted that the Council intends to streamline preceptorship by providing structured training and continuing education opportunities for preceptors, while also expanding internship rotations to include areas beyond clinical pharmacy practice.
As part of its ongoing mandate, the Pharmacy Council is also reviewing and updating the regulations under the Pharmacy Practitioners’ Act, 2003, and pursuing amendments to reflect the evolving scope and responsibilities of pharmacists in Guyana.
Notably, in August 2025, the Pharmacy Council of Guyana received the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists’ Excellence in Regulatory Affairs Award, which recognises Pharmacy Councils and Inspectors across the region who demonstrate exceptional dedication to ethical standards and regulatory excellence in advancing the profession and protecting public health.