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????Middle East Pharmaceutical Outlook Report 2025–2026
Published by: Pharmex Middle East (Aland Institute
Region Covered: Middle East, North Africa, CIS, South Asia
The Middle East pharmaceutical sector is entering a period of accelerated transformation driven by population growth, increasing healthcare expenditure, government localization programs, and rising demand for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), machinery, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Between 2024–2028, the pharmaceutical market in the Middle East is expected to grow at 8–12% CAGR, with Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, and Turkey forming the core of regional production and consumption.
1. Middle East Pharmaceutical Market – Regional Overview
????Market Size
Middle East pharma market value (2024): ~USD 42 billion
Source: IQVIA Middle East Market Report 2024
Projected market size (2028): ~USD 60 billion
????Key Drivers
Population across region: ~410 million
Strong demand for chronic disease treatments
Expansion of insurance coverage and state healthcare
API shortages leading to localization programs
Increased regulatory convergence (Saudi FDA, Iran IFDA, UAE MOH)
Top Markets in Production Capacity
1. Turkey – Finished dosage forms
2. Iran – APIs, biosimilars, and raw materials
3. Saudi Arabia – Localization programs (Vision 2030)
4. Egypt – Large consumer market
5. UAE – Regional logistics hub
2. API & Pharmaceutical Raw Materials Outlook
????Global Context
The API market is dominated by:
India (32% global share)
China (28% global share)
Source: UNIDO API Industrial Assessment 2023
However, due to supply-chain disruptions (COVID, trade barriers, rising costs in India/China), Middle Eastern governments are aggressively investing in API localization.
Regional API Demand
Total API demand in Middle East (2024): USD 6.2 billion
Expected by 2028: USD 8.7 billion
Source: PharmaBoardroom MENA Market Insights 2024
????Iran’s Role
Iran stands out as:
The largest producer of pharmaceutical APIs in the Middle East, with:
Over 70 API-producing companies
Export partners including India, Russia, Algeria, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanestan
Strong competitive advantage in narcotic APIs and niche intermediates
3. Pharmaceutical Machinery & Technology Trends
Machinery and technology adoption in the region is driven by:
????Key Trends
Automation & digital GMP systems
Cleanroom technologies
High-containment systems
Advanced granulation and continuous manufacturing
Sterile and oncology production technologies
????Regional Market Size
Pharma machinery market (Middle East): USD 2.1B
Source: Global Process Equipment Outlook 2024
India, China, Germany, Italy, and Japan are the major suppliers.
4. Technology Transfer & Investment Opportunities
Areas of High Demand in the Region
Oncology APIs
High-potent drugs (HPAPI)
Peptides
Hormonal APIs
Sterile injectables
Packaging modernization (track & trace, smart packaging)
Why the Region Is Attractive for Partnerships
Growing regional market
Increasing regulatory harmonization
Lower production costs compared to EU
Strong government incentives (Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE)
5. Pharmex Middle East – The Specialized Hub of the Region
????Why Pharmex Matters
Pharmex Middle East is currently the only fully specialized API & machinery exhibition in the region, unlike broader healthcare expos in UAE, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
Core Focus of Pharmex
APIs & intermediates
Pharmaceutical machinery & production lines
Packaging solutions
Technology transfer
R&D & formulation technologies
Raw materials and excipients
Participation Statistics (2024–2025)
530+ exhibitors
20,000+ professional visitors from 20+ countries
Delegations from:
India
Russia
Uzbekistan
Algeria
China
Oman
Pakistan
Iraq
Afghanestan
Cuba
Turkey
Tajikestan
Several African markets and...
????International Recognition
Listed by JETRO Japan as one of the recommended pharmaceutical exhibitions in the Middle East
Selected by Corporate Vision UK as:
“Most Influential Pharmaceutical Industry Event – Middle East (2025)”
6. Outlook for 2026–2030
Expected Regional Shifts
API localization will accelerate
Machinery imports from India & China will increase
Iran will play a central role in API & semi-finished materials
Demand for tech transfer will triple
Pharma clusters in UAE & Saudi will rely on API suppliers from Iran, India, Turkey
Role of Pharmex 2026
Become the main meeting point of the Middle Eastern supply chain
Attract 650+ companies and 25+ international delegations
Serve as the strategic bridge between Asia and the Middle East pharma industry