ADDIS ABABA– The news lists of essential veterinary medicines and vaccines for stakeholders have been made public, Ethiopian Agricultural Authority disclosed.
From now and on the introduced lists would be used as guiding rules for veterinary medicine and vaccine importers and manufacturers, it was learnt.
Speaking at the launching event, the Authority’s Director General Ambassador Diriba Kuma said that Ethiopia has been losing opportunities because of absence of good quality and supply of medicines and vaccines.
“The livestock population of Ethiopia is rated number one in Africa and the tenth in the World. But, the national income that we are receiving from the sector is low. We need to work with special attention to make the livestock production imperative to the GDP,” he said.
The Livestock comprises Ethiopia’s 40% of agricultural sector. The livelihood across low lands of the country is dependent of livestock. The foreign currency generated by livestock export is also significant, but not developed compared to the potential, according to the Director General.
Listing most essential drugs is instrumental to make a formal approach to qualify disease prevention mechanisms. The authority will guide importers and pharmaceutical manufacturers’ through such technical supports.
The authority pointed out that illegal drug trading and shortage of foreign currency are as the most pressing challenges.
Brooke Ethiopia Country Director, Yohannes Kassim also noted that Ethiopia has no sufficient livestock pharmaceutical supplies including medicines and vaccines. Livestock products need quality medicines and vaccines. So, the introduced list of essential medicines and drugs would help the sector to access better quality products, he said.
He also urged public-private partnership to enhance livestock management and veterinary services.
Misuse of medicines and vaccines is one of problems witnessed in veterinary medical service providers. In this case, the adoption of essential medicines would help professions to use most appropriate ones, he commented.
Medicines and vaccines of pets, cattle, sheep and goat, horses and camel have been listed in the newly adopted essential medicines list, The Ethiopian Herald learnt.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 24 APRIL 2024
