Best Lebanese Pharmaceutical and Health Product Makers

Lebanon has made its own medicines for decades, and several of the plants listed here date back to the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Some produce generics and licensed brands for pharmacies, others focus on the IV bags, injectables and dialysis fluids hospitals rely on every day. Here is who does what.

How we chose

Every company here is listed in the Made in Liban directory and manufactures in Lebanon, and each appears on the Ministry of Public Health’s list of local manufacturing industries. We have grouped them by what they make. This is an overview of the industry, not medical advice, and we have not evaluated any product.

Medicines for pharmacies

MEPHICO

Middle East Pharmaceutical and Industrial Co. was founded in Beirut in 1956 and moved to its own plant in Jamhour, on the old Damascus road, in 1962. Since 1965 it has manufactured under license for international pharmaceutical companies, so foreign brands can be produced locally instead of imported. Visit MEPHICO

Algorithm

The story begins in 1961 with a plant belonging to Merck & Co. (MSD). In December 1989 Lebanese shareholders bought it and renamed it Algorithm. Based in Zouk Mosbeh, the company works in six therapeutic lines, from diabetes and hypertension to the central nervous system, and combines its own generics with licensed products. It reports a presence in nine MENA countries. Visit Algorithm

Pharmadex

Making medicines since 1970, Pharmadex covers seven dosage forms rather than one specialty: tablets, capsules, oral solutions, suspensions, creams, ointments and suppositories. Directory listings place it on the Damascus main road in Kahale. It works under GMP and holds ISO 9001 certification. Visit Pharmadex

Mediphar Laboratories

Founded in 1973 and based in Zouk El Khrab, Dbayeh, Mediphar produces generic and branded medicines, both prescription and over the counter, along with vitamins and supplements. It also takes part in licensing and research partnerships, according to the Ministry of Public Health. Visit Mediphar Laboratories

Pharmaline

Part of the Malia Group since its founding in 1987, Pharmaline runs a research lab and plant in Jdeidet El Metn. Its factory earned EU GMP certification in 2023, opening the door to European markets. It makes branded generics, produces under license for partners such as Abbott, GSK and Novartis, and offers contract manufacturing to other companies. Visit Pharmaline

Hospital fluids, injectables and devices

Alfa Laboratories

Since 1973 Alfa has made the essentials wards and dialysis units go through every day: IV solution bags, hemodialysis solutions and premixed powder, glass ampoules, IV sets and bloodlines. It gives its capacity as more than 70,000 IV bags a day and also makes oral rehydration solutions, nasal sprays and disinfectants. Visit Alfa Laboratories

Serum Products

Producing medical saline since 1974, Serum Products keeps a focused range of large volume IV fluids, small volume parenterals and irrigation solutions. It works with technical assistance from the French specialist Laboratoires Aguettant and is ISO 9001 certified, according to the Ministry of Public Health. Visit Serum Products

Arwan Pharmaceutical Industries

Arwan concentrates on sterile injectables for hospitals and critical care. Its plant in Jadra, in the Chouf, opened in December 2013 and makes liquid vials, ampoules and freeze-dried vials for anti-infectives, anesthetics, cardiovascular and oncology medicines. In 2019 a WHO team found its quality control lab operating at an acceptable level of compliance. Visit Arwan Pharmaceutical Industries

Benta Pharma Industries (BPI)

What sets BPI apart is that it makes both medicines and sterile medical devices. Founded in 2006 in Dbayeh, it runs two facilities producing drugs for cardiovascular, diabetes and other treatments, plus CE-marked devices for anesthesia, IV use and surgery, including intraocular lenses. It reports more than 200 products and a presence in over 40 countries. Visit Benta Pharma Industries

Dietary supplements

Pharma M

Working from its own building in Oyoun Broumana in the Metn, Pharma M specialises in dietary supplements made under cGMP. Products include Maxi Zinc, the iron supplement FerAnem and Body Filter, along with a Green Made Line. Its website publishes short explainers on topics such as zinc, vitamin D and magnesium. Visit Pharma M

Tips

Ask your pharmacist whether a locally made equivalent of your medicine is available.
Never switch or stop a prescription medicine without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Buy medicines and supplements from licensed pharmacies, and check the packaging and expiry date.
The Ministry of Public Health publishes a list of authorised local manufacturers, which is a useful reference.
For hospital and procurement buyers, ask manufacturers directly about certifications such as GMP, ISO 9001 or ISO 13485.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Lebanon make its own medicines?

Yes. Companies such as MEPHICO (founded 1956), Pharmadex (since 1970) and Mediphar Laboratories (since 1973) have produced medicines in Lebanon for decades, and the Ministry of Public Health keeps a list of local manufacturers.

Which Lebanese companies make IV fluids?

Alfa Laboratories makes IV solution bags and dialysis fluids, and Serum Products makes saline, IV fluids and irrigation solutions. Arwan produces sterile injectable medicines in vials and ampoules.

What does manufacturing under license mean?

An international company allows a local manufacturer to produce its branded medicine, so the product is made in Lebanon instead of imported. MEPHICO, Algorithm and Pharmaline all work this way alongside their own products.