Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 24 April 2026 - The Islamic Development Bank through the Economic and Social Infrastructure Department (ESID) and Center of Excellence Kuala Lumpur (KLCoE), in collaboration with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) of Malaysia, successfully conducted a four-day Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) training programme for National Medicines Regulatory Authorities (NMRAs) from selected IsDB member countries.

The initiative forms part of the OIC NMRA Working Group collaboration, supporting the Riyadh Declaration (2024) priorities on regulatory strengthening, technical capacity, and South–South cooperation, while reflecting the Bank’s growing focus on the pharmaceutical sector as a key pillar of health system resilience, industrial development, and deeper integration across Member Countries.

Implemented as a pilot phase, the programme brought together NMRA inspectors from Algeria, Mozambique, Morocco, and Senegal, with a focus on strengthening regulatory systems and enhancing inspection readiness. Leveraging NPRA Malaysia’s expertise, the programme combined classroom learning, applied case studies, and industry exposure to deepen participants understanding of international standards, inspection methodologies, and quality assurance and quality control systems, while promoting harmonised approaches to regulatory oversight, licensing, and compliance

In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Samer Elesawi, Head of KLCoE emphasized the importance of building strong health systems beyond financing. He noted that the IsDB’s health sector portfolio, valued at approximately USD7 billion, increasingly prioritises key enablers such as institutional strengthening, exchange of technical know-how, and strategic partnerships to ensure sustainable impact. He encouraged participants to apply and cascade the knowledge gained, highlighting the shared challenges and opportunities across member countries.

As part of the programme, participants undertook site visits to leading Malaysian pharmaceutical manufacturers, namely Pharmaniaga Lifesciences Sdn Bhd and Duopharma Biotech Berhad, where they were exposed to industry best practices in GMP compliant pharmaceutical manufacturing environments

This initiative reflects IsDB’s continued commitment to strengthening healthcare systems across IsDB member countries through strategic partnerships and knowledge exchange modalities.