Sulaimani to Host New Pharmaceutical Factory in Iraq's Push for Cancer Drug Independence
Sulaimani is set to become a key hub in Iraq's national strategy to boost domestic drug production, with a new pharmaceutical factory specializing in cancer treatments announced for the province on Tuesday.
The facility, owned by the Sulaimani-based Pioneer Company for Pharmaceutical Industries, is one of four new cancer drug factories unveiled as part of a plan to have domestic production cover 50% of Iraq's medicine needs by the end of this year.
The announcement was made by Hammoudi al-Lami, health affairs advisor to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, who emphasized that the Kurdistan Region’s share of medical supplies is "protected" and that medicine is distributed "equally among all provinces.”
The choice of Sulaimani highlights the pivotal role of a local enterprise. Pioneer Company for Pharmaceutical Industries, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Sulaimani, is a leading private-sector firm in Iraq with a portfolio of over 250 medications.
As a major government supplier, Pioneer aims to bolster Iraq’s pharmaceutical security by providing high-quality and affordable medicines. The new cancer treatment facility will allow the company to directly support a critical healthcare need within its home province and across the country.
Lami stated that the Sulaimani factory is a strategic move to "reduce reliance on imported cancer medications and strengthen healthcare infrastructure."
The expansion of cancer treatment production is particularly significant for Sulaimani, which is grappling with a rising number of cases.
In January, Sulaimani’s cancer registration office reported over 3,000 new cases in 2024 alone, including 201 children. The province is home to Hiwa Hospital, the region's only specialized cancer center, which serves patients from across the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
The new factory will produce treatments for major cancers, including breast and prostate cancer, as well as leukemia and other blood cancers. Lami affirmed that the facility “will comply with international manufacturing standards,” ensuring the quality of its products.
