This archive report was first published on 29 August 2021.
The African continent is heavily reliant on importing raw materials for pharmaceutical manufacturing from countries like China, India, and Malaysia. This not only hinders the growth of the local industry but also makes drugs unaffordable for the citizenry.
According to a report, the lack of raw materials is a significant challenge facing the industry. To overcome this, African countries with the potential to produce these materials should do so for the rest of the continent. This would not only ensure a guaranteed demand for locally manufactured drugs but also benefit from economies of scale.
Another issue plaguing the industry is the presence of too many middlemen, which makes locally manufactured drugs very expensive by the time they reach the end-user. Streamlining the industry and removing cartels would ensure competitive pricing and make healthcare more affordable for the citizenry.
Furthermore, the importation of generic drugs that are already being manufactured locally gives foreign companies an edge over local firms. To address this, protocols should be in place to discourage the importation of generic molecules and only allow branded ones to aid the growth of local firms.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the adverse effects of raw material shortages. To deter this, the continent should come up with bilateral agreements of self-reliance for pharmaceutical products.
Additionally, there have been complaints about substandard imported and locally manufactured drugs. With regional protocols in place, the continent can ensure that it does not become a dumping site for substandard pharmaceutical products.
