Local pharmaceutical industry set for massive growth

Harare (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe government is targeting to grow local production of essential medicines from 30 percent to 60 percent by 2025, a cabinet Minister has said.

This is contained in the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Strategy 2021-2025, which was approved by Cabinet on Tuesday.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the strategy targeted to increase pharmaceutical production capacity through retooling, streamlining registration procedures and promoting innovation.

“Implementation of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Strategy will not only resolve these bottlenecks but will also result in increased production of essential medicines for both domestic and export markets,” she said.

“The objectives of the strategy include the following: to increase the market share of local pharmaceutical products from the current 12 percent to 35 percent by 2025; to increase local production of essential medicines from US$31.5 million to US$150 million by 2025; to increase local production of essential medicines from 30 percent to 60 percent by 2025; and to improve exports of pharmaceutical products from 10 percent to 25 percent by 2025.”

Mutsvangwa said the government would, among other things, mobilise funding and promote export development to ensure targets of the pharmaceutical strategy were met.

She said to boost demand, government institutions and hospitals would be encouraged to procure locally made pharmaceutical products.

“Competitiveness of the local pharmaceutical industry will be achieved through such measures as the use of raw materials that are exempted from import duties as well as Value Added Tax deferment while NatPharm will increase its capacity to procure locally manufactured pharmaceutical products.

“Furthermore, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe will be capacitated to ensure faster registration of pharmaceutical products and to develop a programme on plant refurbishments, and upgrading and improvements in Quality Management Systems. This will ensure that the local manufacturers comply with international pharmaceutical manufacturing quality standards and enhance competitiveness locally and internationally,” she said.

“Government, in collaboration with local industry, will also push for the elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers in order to promote export development. The Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Strategy, the first one in the history of Zimbabwe, is envisaged to facilitate the growth of the sector and guarantee affordable medicines for the citizens.”

New Ziana