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Tina Musonza-Herald Correspondent
The Government has implored local pharmaceuticals to take lead in the manufacturing of Antiretroviral drugs to increase accessibility of medication.
The stance taken by the Government follows SADC engagements with the Germany Government and the European Union to pave the way for all SADC member states to start making use of regional synergies and leverage on them to promote the industrial pharmaceutical sector.
HIV and AIDS has become a wake-up call with a large population of 18- 24 years with more cases.
Speaking during Public-Private Dialogue Forums on Policy and Regulatory Review and Drafting of a Model Policy Aimed at Resolving Bottlenecks to Regional ARV Value Chain Development, Ministry of Industry and Commerce Permanent Secretary Dr Mavis Sibanda said it was important for local pharmaceuticals to take the lead to increase accessibility of ARVs locally and also tap into regional trade.
“Regarding market access, let me say it is only when we strengthen this ARV and other regional value chains, that we can be able to improve intra-regional trade as a region.
“It is disheartening to note that trade among SADC countries continues to be low, below 25 percent and this is being attributed to huge imports coming outside the bloc due to the fragmented regional value chains.”
Dr Sibanda was represented by deputy director Mr Dayford Nhema.
Dr Sibanda challenged local manufacturers to leverage on regional SADC value chains that were at their disposal to recover markets that were lost through ARVs drug imports.
“Now that an enlarged and ready market is before us, a market of over 1 billion people, through the African Continental Free Trade Area, it is crucial that we address bottlenecks affecting our regional value chains, including the ARV to ensure that we anchor our supply chains,” she said.
German Cooperation Antiretroviral Value Chain Technical Team Leader Faith Mangwanya said plans were underway to engage global funders to promote local manufactures and open markets for locally made ARVs.
“We have noticed local manufacturers are facing different challenges for them to start manufacturing the ARVs locally.
“The way forward is the Government and the private sector engaging and having a discourse on some of the challenges and then come up with a way forward together.
“That’s one of the first steps forward, as it is we already have companies in Zimbabwe who have been producing for over 70 years so the manufacturing sector is mature in Zimbabwe so it’s just a way forward how we can grow the industry to be more sustainable,” said Mangwanya.
Local pharmaceuticals said they were willing to start manufacturing ARVs locally, however there were still challenges that needed to be addressed.
CAPS Pharmaceuticals chief executive officer Mr Justice Majaka said the manufacturing of local drugs was scaling down.
“Currently the local pharmaceutical industry has scaled down on the production of ARVs including further investments in that area. The main reason being the frequent changes in the treatment regiments that we use which is derived from the World Health Organisation.
“It’s not viable to now invest in that area and our focus is now on other areas, however the SADC industrialisation initiative may be the scope for us to relook the policy and go back to making antiretroviral virus. We look forward to investing in that area again and try to see where we can create synergies within SADC,” said Mr Majaka.
He said there was a need for donor funding to consider pharmaceuticals in the market and to grow manufacturing of local ARVs drugs.
He said the Government plays a critical role in that almost 90 percent of consumption of ARVs is through public institutions and there was a need to put flexible policies for pharmaceuticals in the market.
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