HEALTH Minister Hon.SYLVIA MASEBO has called on the local pharmaceutical manufacturing companies to seek partnerships with foreign firms for enhanced production of medicines and medical products that meets the international quality standards
Speaking in Lusaka today at the launch of the Zambia Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry-ZPMI , Ms MASEBO said to ensure effective and quality production of pharmaceutical products calls for investment in technology, development of appropriate policies and the legal framework.
She says they are prerequisites for the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry to flourish in Zambia and to conform to the required international standards.
Ms MASEBO has also emphasized the need for the local pharmaceutical manufacturing companies to form partnerships with established firms in order to stimulate economic growth
“The government of the Republic of Zambia held its first ever EU-Zambia economic forum in May, 2022 in an effort to foster major partnerships in health and particularly the pharmaceutical sector with well-established EU manufacturing companies,” she said.
Ms MASEBO has since appointed the Zambia Pharma Manufacturing Initiative Steering Committee -ZPMIS whose main mandate is to create an enabling environment in order to revamp the local pharmaceutical manufacturing in Zambia.
“It is gratifying to note that by October,2022 the Steering Committee have held three three meetings including the inaugural meeting held in Lusaka with key stakeholders to set stage of what is to be the beginning of an initiative to facilitate the revival of the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in Zambia,” she disclosed.
Meanwhile, European Union-EU Country Representative BRUNO HANSES says
the national pharmaceutical manufacturing industry is the solution to the shortage of medical supplies and the assurance of functional health facilities.
Mr HANSES says the initiative is a powerful enabler for research, skills improvement and quality job creation.
He has assured that the EU stands ready and that is willing to continue supporting the health sector in Zambia
“All the more as we see the sustainable impact, with returns on investments and potential for future developments emerging from our support,” he said..
And World Health Organization-WHO has welcomed the homegrown solution noting that it will spur the economic growth.
WHO Country Representative NATHAN BAKYAITA says the initiative will also expand the pharmaceutical industry in Zambia.
Speaking earlier, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services LACKSON KASONKA said local production of pharmaceuticals would curtail on the importation cost and the expiration of medicines.
Professor KASONKA has since called on the private sector to exploit the opportunities and to experience accrued benefits.