ADDIS ABABA – The AFCFTA Pharma Initiative would create improved and economically sustainable access to safe and affordable medicine through local manufacturing and pooled procurement, said an Expert.
The agreement that was signed by Ethiopia, Rwanda and Seychelles recently aims to enhance nation’s pharmaceutical industry as well as increase the participation of the private sector in the health sector.
Maraki Fekre (PhD) Initiative Leader, Consultant and Health Expert, said that the deal would save the nation’s pharmaceutical import bill which is around 500 million USD, per annum.
As to her, the pooled procurement is expected to cut the overall import bills of the country by nearly 45 percent.
She also indicated that it would benefit the country through enhancing the capacity of private sectors, creating jobs and curbing importation of illegal drugs.
Furthermore, she said, the initiative would be impactful as it backs country’s economy through its existing and upcoming pharma industrial parks.
To curb the challenges with falsified medicines that have been designed to mimic the real medicines; and endangered the lives of many, the initiative, in concert with WHO, has developed a verification system.
Likewise, a survey has already been conducted to identify highly consumed as well as costly medicinal drugs so that it could be taken into account when importing the drugs through the initiative, she noted.
The AFCFTA Initiative provides a critical and promising market for the engagement of the private sector within the health sector, she stressed.
The agreement is also expected to play a significant role in creating a strong business for the private sector in shaping health markets and contribute towards the improvement of health in Africa, she added.
The Ethiopian Herald February 19/2020
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
