Fresenius Kabi to build state-of-the-art production plant

Fresenius Kabi is to invest $42 million (25.37 million pounds) to establish a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution facility in Australia.

Dr Denis Napthine – the firm's state premier for Victoria, where the plant will be situated – vowed it will boost the country's health care sector and the local economy as a whole.

"This [investment] will deliver 120 full-time jobs in advanced manufacturing, including positions such as highly qualified manufacturing operators, engineers and quality specialists," he explained.

According to the company, the facility will be operational by 2016 and will focus on the manufacturing of intravenous (IV) products and those to assist with oncology delivery.

Zita Peach, managing director of Fresenius Kabi Australia and New Zealand and South Asia Pacific vice-president, said the plant would produce 29 million IV bags and delivery systems to Australian hospitals, both public and private, when it is up and running.