It’s not that hard to make generic drugs no one will die from having too much or too little paracetamol it’s just that it’s probably cheaper to bring it in form abroad atm plus the imported stuff is probbaly not great quality
An Exciting New Business Just Opened in Mogdishu
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Espaa_
Ku sali nabiga {scw}
we could follow the US standards of quality control and follow the CDCs advice on a lot of the things. We could pay a membership fee to join the Royal Society of Chemistry to join pharmacies and factories around the world and get networking opportunities. Economy wise it would open up a lot of jobs for those coming out of universities in Somalis that are studying chemical related sciences.
Also its not one simple mistake. In Chemistry you can afford to make mistakes so long as the yield at the end comes out relatively pure [we would test using a spectrometer or titrations for precision].
the main problem is factory/plant building on a large scale considering the country is unsafe. Why build sophisticated and extremely expensive equipments when T groups like AS are breathing down our throats in the south. Also maintenance is needed, this is where engineers come in.
right now there are no factories like this and all of the somali “pharmaceutical” companies are businesses which work to move european/turkish medicine in bulk to distribute at inflated prices.
we would also need backing and funding from the government itself to make sure medicine is free for all or at an insanely reduced rate. We could distribute this to local hospitals and in turn we could be the very foundation to future free healthcare. We could then expand out into African nations and become the next Pfizer or Astrazeneca within the continent.
this is what I hope for and is partly the reason why I want to switch to a chemical engineering degree this year.
Who knows, maybe we could even find the cure to cancer if we advanced enough
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Yo idk who you are inadeer but jazakAllah kheyr for your quote
Espaa_
Ku sali nabiga {scw}
Wa iyaaka brother
Internet Nomad
✪𝙎𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙯𝙯𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖✪
When usaid gets cut dont worry people will just start eating the hotels.
Lol, you really made my point.
People do die certainly die from too much paracetamol and they can have life long injuries to their organs.
This is exactly my point. A lot of people just either don't understand the ramifications or are just careless.
You can't manufacture drugs in Somalia, because we don't have the quality control and we don't have a government regulatory agency that can keep an eye out.
Finally, even if we have a regulatory body....we don't have good court system and strong judiciary to imprison manufacturers who are involved in corporate neglect/manslaughter. Also do we have a good system in recalling bad items from shelves?
Look at China and the baby formula scandal . China executed those manufacturers.
Yes, one mistake can have huge ramifications. It isn't just about product purity. You could have a 99.99% pure arsenic ... its still poison.
The thalidomide scandal was because the manufacturers made a optical isomer of the product mistakenly, it was still a pure product.
What I’m saying is the places we import from already have poor quality control I’ve witnessed it myself
Espaa_
Ku sali nabiga {scw}
That was before we knew anything about the effects of optical isomers nor could we test the racemic mixture using a chromatogram or nmr as it looks identical to the actual structure of the non harmful thalidomide. Using that incident we learnt of exact molecules that mirror each other [enantiomers] and we ensured ways to test it using polarised light. [this was not known before the thalidomide incident] This can only happen in certain molecules but not all.
they didnt make a mistake, they just didnt know about the effects of optical isomers. They also did not discover that one was teratogenic [harmful to baby] and one was not. It was not fully understood in that era hence why babies were born disfigured. 2 chemists conducted an investigation and figured it out recently in the year 1961.
In chemistry we can afford to make slight mistakes if we know the implications of everything and if there have been multiple controlled tests. Nothing is ever “pure” in chemistry and there is a certain limit we need to get it to. Medical grade drugs are only around ≥ 95% pure.
There are many human errors we need to take into consideration as well. Our eyes can only do so much. When doing a titration we check eye level to see whether our substance is at the meniscus or not. We are only about 85% right majority of the times as it is always off 20cm^2. Thats just one issue as well, there are hundreds upon hundreds where human skill just does not cut it.
One very famous enantiomer is Vicks vaporub [L-methamphetamine] which is used for colds. Its optical isomer is actually Crystal Meth [V-Methamphetamine] which is a class A drug and extremely dangerous so they have to test every batch to make sure its not over the limit
EVEN with vaporub its only 95% L and the remaining 5% is crystal meth
In conclusion, you can make mistakes in chemistry just as long as yield is over 95% as its in the “safe” zone. Its actuslly very very hard to get 100% purity and requires a shit ton of ingredients and a lottt of purification steps and even then 100% purity is just not feasible.
https://atomscientific.com/news/why-purity-variation-is-significant-in-laboratories
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Espaa_
Ku sali nabiga {scw}
Exactly even the FDA states that medical grade products are >95% pure meaning they can afford to have impurities. Making a relatively pure product with >99% purity means the company loses out on money and yield is smaller at the end. Big pharma are businesses at the end of the day and rely on the economy. Simple A level Chemistry
That was before we knew anything about the effects of optical isomers nor could we test the racemic mixture using a chromatogram or nmr as it looks identical to the actual structure of the non harmful thalidomide. Using that incident we learnt of exact molecules that mirror each other [enantiomers] and we ensured ways to test it using polarised light. [this was not known before the thalidomide incident] This can only happen in certain molecules but not all.
they didnt make a mistake, they just didnt know about the effects of optical isomers. They also did not discover that one was teratogenic [harmful to baby] and one was not. It was not fully understood in that era hence why babies were born disfigured. 2 chemists conducted an investigation and figured it out recently in the year 1961.
In chemistry we can afford to make slight mistakes if we know the implications of everything and if there have been multiple controlled tests. Nothing is ever “pure” in chemistry and there is a certain limit we need to get it to. Medical grade drugs are only around ≥ 95% pure.
There are many human errors we need to take into consideration as well. Our eyes can only do so much. When doing a titration we check eye level to see whether our substance is at the meniscus or not. We are only about 85% right majority of the times as it is always off 20cm^2. Thats just one issue as well, there are hundreds upon hundreds where human skill just does not cut it.
One very famous enantiomer is Vicks vaporub [L-methamphetamine] which is used for colds. Its optical isomer is actually Crystal Meth [V-Methamphetamine] which is a class A drug and extremely dangerous so they have to test every batch to make sure its not over the limit
View attachment 359611
EVEN with vaporub its only 95% L and the remaining 5% is crystal meth
In conclusion, you can make mistakes in chemistry just as long as yield is over 95% as its in the “safe” zone. Its actuslly very very hard to get 100% purity and requires a shit ton of ingredients and a lottt of purification steps and even then 100% purity is just not feasible.
https://atomscientific.com/news/why-purity-variation-is-significant-in-laboratories
They discovered enantiomers in the 19th century......
They don't have the best quality control, but it's much better than we would have in Somalia.
Why do you keep talking about purity?
It's not just about purity, it's about dosaging, storage, the actual composition of the product.
Idilinaa
VIP
You're are actually raising some great points, and it's clear you've got a strong vision for what's possible which I really respect. But just to clarify a few things:
Somali universities do offer pharmacology programs, usually within health sciences or medical faculties. So the local knowledge base is there and growing. And Somalia is already taking steps toward regulating its pharmaceutical sector. Just recently, the government adopted resolutions to establish an interim National Medicines Regulatory Authority to ensure quality control and regulate the industry:
Also, there is already a pharmaceutical factory in Mogadishu producing up to a million tablets per month:
These types of factories are slowly popping up across Somalia. Most are funded by domestic investors or diaspora-led initiatives. That’s a good thing it keeps revenue in the country and builds self-reliance. Once local demand is met, there’s a real potential to scale up and serve export markets or regional partners.
The broader vision of “Made in Somalia” is already underway, especially in sectors like food production, manufacturing, and yes even pharmaceuticals.
As for healthcare, you're right that it’s heavily privatized at the moment, which has its own issues but there’s also a lot of innovation like for example leveraging digital innovations and telecommunications. Somalia is now using telemedicine and mobile health platforms to bridge gaps in healthcare access. Projects like Baano, SomDoctor, and Hello Caafi have made a real difference by delivering remote consultations, medicine and health education to underserved communities.
It shows how Somalia is leapfrogging traditional barriers using tech and telecom strength.
So the foundations are being laid. The next step is scaling this with smart investment and more local expertise, just like what you're envisioning. If you're serious about switching to chemical engineering, your skills could actually be a game-changer down the line.
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Espaa_
Ku sali nabiga {scw}
Which is why I said in bold “effects”. The scientists had no idea the effects of racemic mixtures. Enantiomers existing was discovered by Pasteur in the 19th century in which you are correct. The effects of enantiomers was found during the thalidomide incident.
In regards to this you specifically mentioned purity. You did not mention anything else otherwise.
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Espaa_
Ku sali nabiga {scw}
This is so lovely to hear genuinely especially the way the locals and diaspora are working together to mix tech and pharmacy to boost efficiency of ou. I thought majority of big pharma companies in somalia focused on the business aspect which is reselling products in bulk from european/asian countries.You're are actually raising some great points, and it's clear you've got a strong vision for what's possible which I really respect. But just to clarify a few things:
Somali universities do offer pharmacology programs, usually within health sciences or medical faculties. So the local knowledge base is there and growing. And Somalia is already taking steps toward regulating its pharmaceutical sector. Just recently, the government adopted resolutions to establish an interim National Medicines Regulatory Authority to ensure quality control and regulate the industry:
Also, there is already a pharmaceutical factory in Mogadishu producing up to a million tablets per month:
These types of factories are slowly popping up across Somalia. Most are funded by domestic investors or diaspora-led initiatives. That’s a good thing it keeps revenue in the country and builds self-reliance. Once local demand is met, there’s a real potential to scale up and serve export markets or regional partners.
The broader vision of “Made in Somalia” is already underway, especially in sectors like food production, manufacturing, and yes even pharmaceuticals.
As for healthcare, you're right that it’s heavily privatized at the moment, which has its own issues but there’s also a lot of innovation like for example leveraging digital innovations and telecommunications. Somalia is now using telemedicine and mobile health platforms to bridge gaps in healthcare access. Projects like Baano, SomDoctor, and Hello Caafi have made a real difference by delivering remote consultations, medicine and health education to underserved communities.
It shows how Somalia is leapfrogging traditional barriers using tech and telecom strength.
So the foundations are being laid. The next step is scaling this with smart investment and more local expertise, just like what you're envisioning. If you're serious about switching to chemical engineering, your skills could actually be a game-changer down the line.
we even have our own form of the FDA/CDC??
With Somalis being natural businessmen/women I’m a bit scared that as we increase the efficiency of our own medical systems, prices of healthcare will go higher similar to the USA. Even though we do have consultations and remote medicine to those unfortunate communities, do you think FGS in the far future could create a sort of healthcare welfare state such as medicaid in the US or in the UK, the National Health Service (NHS)?
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Idilinaa
VIP
Absolutely! Import substitution is already well underway. One of the main reasons Somalia became import-heavy is because all local industries collapsed after 1991. But now we’re gradually rebuilding our manufacturing base from the ground up.This is so lovely to hear genuinely especially the way the locals and diaspora are working together to mix tech and pharmacy to boost efficiency of ou. I thought majority of big pharma companies in somalia focused on the business aspect which is reselling products in bulk from european/asian countries.
we even have our own form of the FDA/CDC??
With Somalis being natural businessmen/women I’m a bit scared that as we increase the efficiency of our own medical systems, prices of healthcare will go higher. Even though we do have consultations and remote medicine to those unfortunate communities
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Somalia used to be a leading pharmaceutical producer and exporter, even places like Japan used to source their medicines from Somalia during 70/80s.
Something unique about Somalia’s private sector is that it doesn’t operate like the typical corporate-first model seen elsewhere. Here, businesses are often driven by community need first, not just profit. The private sector in Somalia tends to be locally owned, decentralized, and deeply rooted in community structures which ironically creates competitive pricing and affordable access, especially in sectors like healthcare.
This decentralized and responsive model is one of Somalia’s greatest strengths. When combined with digital tools, diaspora-backed investment, and local entrepreneurship, it creates a kind of grassroots innovation that’s often missing in top-down systems.
So yes, while there’s always a risk of prices going up with privatization, the Somali market is agile and with the growing regulatory steps being taken (like the Medicines Regulatory Authority), we’re seeing the right kind of balance between access, affordability, and quality control being developed.
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The one thing that gives me hope for somali's tech industry is that we have these large telecom companies that are owned and were built from the ground up by Somalis. That kind of instutional knowledge is incredibly valuable and these companies probably played a huge role in creating the tech talent pool in somalia from which future growth is possible.
One thing I want somalis to stay away from is this tech innovation ( softwatere as service )startup b.s. which is basically 90% of "tech startups" it's in my opinion the biggest scam in the world. It's given people the illusion that that all these "tech hubs" in africa, Latin America, and the middle east are actually doing something. real tech is stuff like semiconductors, biotechnology, electric cars, battery technology, etc.
Somalia's telecommunications industry has produced more value than 90% of the African "tech hubs" because it's created infrastructure and a talent pool of tech workers however modest it might seem.
One thing I want somalis to stay away from is this tech innovation ( softwatere as service )startup b.s. which is basically 90% of "tech startups" it's in my opinion the biggest scam in the world. It's given people the illusion that that all these "tech hubs" in africa, Latin America, and the middle east are actually doing something. real tech is stuff like semiconductors, biotechnology, electric cars, battery technology, etc.
Somalia's telecommunications industry has produced more value than 90% of the African "tech hubs" because it's created infrastructure and a talent pool of tech workers however modest it might seem.
Idilinaa
VIP
Spot on. Somalia’s telecom and fintech infrastructure was created from scratch by Somali entrepreneurs, not foreign firms or aid agencies. Hormuud, Golis, Somtel, Telesom etc are 100% Somali-owned and provide jobs, services, and platforms for other industries to grow.
Institutional knowledge in these firms is deep, practical, and homegrown unlike countries that outsource tech or rely on expat executives.
Another thing you pointed out which is also correct is:
Real Infrastructure > Hype Startups
The tech startup model in much of Africa is dominated by overhyped, underperforming ventures that burn investor money chasing unicorn dreams.
Somalia, by contrast, has focused on applied technology:
- Mobile money
- Agricultural info services
- Logistics, delivery, education, and remittance integration
- Online marketplaces and banking access
- Telemedicine/health
Most tech in Somalia are geared towards facilitating telecom, agriculture, finance and trade and provide innovative solutions that help and reach people.
Somalia is also leading continental hub of Fintech, with services like EVC Plus, Jeeb, E-Dahab, ZAAD, SAHAL, MyCash, and E-basa.
Basically Somalis approach the use of technology as a source of practical solutions and sustainable infrastructure.
Now are starting to see Somalis move towards things like
- Device manufacturing (routers, mobile phones)
- Software engineering (ERP, fintech platforms, agri-tech tools)
- Renewable energy tech (solar battery systems, smart grids)
But yeah you are right we should avoid "SaaS startup trap" like most African tech hubs, they Raise VC funds, Hire elite teams, Build apps with no real use-case, Collapse in 2-3 years.
Somalia’s quiet telecom & fintech revolution is worth more than 10 flashy incubators in Nairobi that collapse after the next funding round.
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exactly . For us to build a serious industrial base will take decades. But there are things we could do speed this up. One of the things I think that would be intresting for a future administration to do over the next decade is to create some special initiatives or programs that work with Somali owned foreign companies in other parts of the world that do stuff like manufacturing or construction or engineering. give them a tax break or some other perks to setup branches in somalia and maybe even move their headquarters here . I could easily see once we have something like this setup it would help skilled diaspora engineers or other similar types of professionals quickly contribute by being hired as employees of these companies.
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