PHARMACEUTICALS and personal care products manufacturer Datlabs (Private) Limited has applied for export licences from a number of countries in region as it seeks to grow its market share.Datlabs export manger Mr Phanuel Mhaka said the applications were sent to Zambia, Malawi, Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He said the company was optimistic of getting the export licences although the applications could take up to three years to be processed.
“We have the capacity to meet the drug requirements of these countries should they give us the nod to supply them. It takes two to three years for the licences to be granted,” he said.
He noted that the company was ISO certified and produced quality products that met international standards.
“We have positioned ourselves to go regionally to compliment the Buy Zimbabwe Campaign which is getting louder each day.”
Mr Mhaka said Datlabs was moving to make Zimbabwe the centre of pharmaceutical and personal care products in Africa.
“We want to be the hub in the region where all pharmaceuticals, health and personal products are manufactured and distributed,” he said.
The pharmaceutical industry in Zimbabwe is second only to South Africa in the region in terms of development and sophistication and exports to markets in Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi and West Indies.
Established in 1954, Datlabs is a South African company with a product range which includes medicines such as Solphyllex, Asalen and Panado.
It also manufactures and distributes health and personal care products including camphor cream, lanolene and Cafemol. — New Ziana.