adminAshley Mujoma
THE pharmaceutical manufacturing industry has called for stricter enforcement laws to support local companies.
The request was made during a public-private dialogue forum in Harare, where many companies stated that they had reduced the production of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs, despite the increasing need for them due to the rising prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the country.
According to Caps Holdings’ chief executive officer, Justice Majaka, many local pharmaceutical firms have limited their production of ARVs due to frequent changes in WHO treatment guidelines that make it difficult for companies to profit from their investment.
Majaka has urged the Government to enact laws that require those willing to donate ARVs to buy them locally instead of importing them, as is done in some countries, like India, to support the local pharmaceutical industry.
“In Zimbabwe the rate of people being infected by HIV/AIDS has increased, especially in the 18 to 25 years age group, which makes ARVs a necessity in the country.
“Most local pharmaceutical companies have scaled down the production of ARVs because of frequent changes in the treatment regimes being driven by the World Health Organisation guidelines.
“It has become uneconomical for us to keep on investing in ARVs because by the time we launch the drug on the market, they could have changed guidelines, making it difficult for local manufacturers to make a profit.
“The Government plays a critical role in terms of health, and we are asking the Government to help. We are also looking for favourable tenders from the Government for us to survive,” he said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter