Supporting the production of pharmaceuticals in Africa

Perspectives Ethiopia has become a model country for local investment in pharmaceuticals, as advocated by three United Nations agencies 1 and the African Union Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa. 2 Recently, Ethiopia launched a national strategy and plan of action to develop local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and increase access to locally manufactured, quality assured medicines. 3 The World Health Organization (WHO), with support from the European Commission and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, worked closely with the Government of Ethiopia in the development of this strategy. Africa has more than 70% of the world's people living with human im-munodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and 90% of the world's deaths due to malaria; noncommunicable diseases are also an increasing problem. 4 The demand for safe, effective and affordable medicines is therefore great, but weak local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity means that Africa largely depends on imported medicines. It is estimated that around 79% of all pharmaceuticals in Africa are imported. This significantly increases health expenditure and leaves people vulnerable to interruption of the supply of medicines. Access to life-saving medicines is a human right, but it remains far from being guaranteed for the majority of people living in Africa. Long lead times in international procurement, fragile logistics and storage capacity, and high transport and distribution costs hinder the broad access and affordability of essential medicines. Moreover, patented medicines for diseases like hepatitis, cancer and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis may be out of reach for many patients because of their high cost. Local production of quality-assured medicines is a critical strategy in the long term, in view of growing demands, as a way to ensure reliable access to affordable medicines. Africa is now the world's second fastest growing pharmaceutical market, projected to reach 30 billion United States dollars per year by 2016. 5 It is hoped that in Africa, as in other emerging economies, projected industrial growth and modernization can contribute to social development and catalyse knowledge-based economic growth, research and development. Strong political commitment and leadership are needed to achieve this vision. In the case of Ethiopia, the government understands its role very well and is ready to lead. The successful transformation of the national pharmaceutical sector and the strengthening of pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity require that the government improve policy coherence in the pharmaceutical sector. Further support is now needed for human capital development, innovation , foreign direct investment, quality assurance systems …