Following an introduction and tour of PharmaChem Technologies, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis stated that he was impressed with what the plant produces and will produce in the future.
During his monthly working hours in Grand Bahama, the Prime Minister started his day at the Career Fair held at the Grand Lucayan under the theme, “How to be successful in the world of technology”, then Tabernacle Baptist Academy was the next stop where the Prime Minister congratulated the recently crowned Hugh Campbell Basketball Champions. The final stop was at PharmaChem.
Greeted by Pietro Stefanutti, president, and Randy S. Thompson, CEO, the Prime Minister and his delegation were given a tour of the facility.
The Prime Minister noted while touring the facility the emphasis placed on safety, to the extent of having an ambulance on site. “That would also help with the changes that we’ve done at the Rand Memorial Hospital. When we did renovations there, we took into consideration the possibility of any accidents in such a facility, we can deal with it appropriately.”
Fortunately, he added, none have occurred thus far and with their safety level, there may be none.
Their $180 million expansion shows their confidence in the Bahamian economy, which would add about 80 additional Bahamian staff members. The company currently has 71 Bahamians employed, with 60 being full time.
“We’re very impressed with what we see here and we will continue to do all we can as a government to ensure that there is a smooth running of construction and expansion of the facility. That will help us in terms of employment and moving forward.
With the company being involved with producing the active ingredient of a particular drug that treats over one million HIV patients -- it will add two additional drugs. This, he said, is significant in that in no time, he is sure The Bahamas will be providing drugs to over two million people.
“So, as small as we are, we’re making great contributions to health care throughout the world and I’d like to congratulate the staff members of PharmaChem and encourage them to continue the excellent work that they’re doing.”
Accompanying the Prime Minister were: Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Michael Pintard; Minister of State for Grand Bahama in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator the Hon. J. Kwasi Thompson; Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Harcourt Brown; Parliamentary Secretary, Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe; Parliamentary Secretary, Iram Lewis; and other staff of the Office of the Prime Minister.
By Robyn Adderley
