Minister of Health Calls for More Pharmaceutical Manufacturing to Boost Healthcare

The Minister of Health has called for the strengthening of the pharmaceutical industry to boost Zambian healthcare.

Speaking at the launch of the Zambia Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Initiative (ZMPI), Sylvia Masebo, Minister of Health, wishes to see universal access to affordable and effective medicines available for Zambian people.

Manufacturing pharmaceutical products in Zambia itself is seen as vital for the attainment of this goal. Local production currently only meets 10-15% of the demand in Zambia. This is why the New Dawn administration is keen to promote local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

“In ensuring effective and quality production of pharmaceutical products, affordable finance, access to technology and appropriate policies and legal framework are fundamental requirements for pharmaceutical manufacturing in Zambia to upgrade our production to international quality standards, such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and to gain access to local and international markets.”

To enact this change, the Minister stated her desire to see international partnership programmes. In May, the first ever EU-Zambia economic forum was held in an effort to foster such partnerships with established EU manufacturing companies. 

The Minister also highlight a “human resource gap” as less scientists work in pharmaceutical production in Africa than in Europe. Highly skilled labour is required and so the government is encouraging universities to partner with corporations in the sector to drive capacity. At present there are only 10 registered pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Zambia. 

Development of the industry is seen as important if Zambia is to attain its sustainable development goal of “health for all at all ages… leaving no one behind.”

Image: Roberto Sorin via Unsplash