Building the Momentum for A Stronger Pharmaceutical System in Africa

Silvia Ussai, Caterina Chillotti, Erminia Stochino, Arianna Deidda, Giovanni Ambu, Lorenzo Anania, Alberto Boccalini, Flavia Colombo, Alessandra Ferrari, Daniele Pala, Enrica Puddu, Giulia Rapallo and Marco Pistis
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Silvia Ussai: Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Caterina Chillotti: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Erminia Stochino: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Arianna Deidda: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Giovanni Ambu: Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Lorenzo Anania: Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Alberto Boccalini: Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Flavia Colombo: Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Alessandra Ferrari: Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Daniele Pala: Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Enrica Puddu: Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Giulia Rapallo: Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Marco Pistis: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 6, 1-6

Abstract: Despite impressive progress, nearly two billion people worldwide have no access to essential medicines. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed Africa’s vulnerability due to its reliance on imports for most vaccines, medicines, and other health product needs. The vaccine manufacturing is complex and requires massive financial investments, with global, regional, and national regulatory structures introducing consistent and urgent reforms to assure the quality and safety of medicines. In 2020, there were approximately 600 pharmaceutical manufacturers in Africa, 80% of which were concentrated in eight countries: Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. Only 4 countries had more than 50 manufacturers, while 22 countries had no local production. Out of the 600, around 25% were multinational companies. Africa is equally affected by modest scaled capacities substantially engaging in packaging and labelling, and occasionally fill and finish steps, facing criticalities in terms of solvent domestic markets. This article discusses the challenges in the development of a local pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa and reflects on the importance of the momentum for strengthening the local medical production capacity in the continent as a critical opportunity for advancing universal health coverage (UHC).

Keywords: COVID-19; Africa; pharmaceutical system strengthening (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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