The Health Ministry seeks to develop pharmaceuticals and promote related research and innovation, Minister Ali Mrabet said on Thursday.

There is need to set up the national drug and health products agency, he further told attendees of the 6th edition of the Pharmacy Forum held by the National Union of Retail Pharmacists of Tunisia (French: SPOT).

The event is held under the theme "Arab Maghreb in the Limelight" with the participation of experts and guests from the Arab Maghreb and Africa.

It is also important to revise pharmaceutical professions in a bid to secure a good governance of the sector and meet needs in medicines.

Ali Mrabet hailed public-private partnership designed to overhaul the sector. "Continuous training is important to keep abreast of scientific developments," he was cited as saying in a ministry press release.

This 6th edition is held on September 28-30 at El Kram Exhibition Centre. A pharmaceutical exhibition with the participation of Tunisian and international laboratories is on the agenda along with international seminars and training workshops.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse