Tinaye Agere
Sunday Mail Reporter
GOVERNMENT will facilitate the establishment of facilities in institutions of higher learning that promote the development of new formulations and innovations in the pharmaceutical sector.
This is envisaged to support the local manufacture of medicines at affordable prices.
The country presently imports 88 percent of medicines.
Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu made the remarks on Saturday at the 3rd Community Pharmacists Association and Pharmaceutical Wholesalers Association joint conference in Harare.
Industry players were also encouraged to invest in modern pharmaceutical systems, which are key to combating the persistent use of counterfeit drugs.
In a speech read on his behalf by the director of quality assurance and trade measures in his ministry, Mr Macheka Muchumairi, Minister Ndlovu said the conference was a platform to exchange ideas to “service the needs of our people”.
“Locally manufactured medicines still represent only 12 percent of the market, primarily made up of generic products, while imports account for 88 percent,” he said.
“The availability of locally produced medicines is critical in ensuring sustainability of the national healthcare system … The Government is committed to facilitating the establishment of a bio-equivalence facility at higher learning institutions to promote the development of new formulations. However, the private sector also has a crucial role to play by engaging strategic partnerships, improving operational efficiencies and leading in product innovation and investing in capacity building.”
Government also urged pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers to invest in modern manufacturing and distribution equipment to enable the production and delivery of medicines at more affordable prices.
“This initiative is crucial in combating the persistent issue of counterfeit drugs, which is largely driven by affordability concerns,” Minister Ndlovu said.
Last month, the Government approved the Pharmaceutical Value Chain Policy.
It also expressed its commitment to providing adequate funding to support the sustained uptake of locally produced medicines by fostering public-private partnerships in the pharmaceutical sector.
The local pharmaceutical industry is currently valued at approximately US$254 million, with an annual growth rate of 4,3 percent.
Government is set to establish a revolving fund to finance the sector.
“By making medications more accessible, we can significantly improve healthcare outcomes across Zimbabwe, especially for low-income earners who struggle to afford essential treatments. Enhancing local pharmaceutical production and distribution will contribute to the GDP growth of the sector and create more employment opportunities,” he said.
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