Mahama announces five-year plan to cut Ghana’s reliance on imported medicines

President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled a five-year plan to decrease Ghana's reliance on imported medicines. The goal is to boost local pharmaceutical manufacturing, which would lower medicine costs and improve access to healthcare. Speaking at a Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) program in Zuarungu, Mahama stated that 70% of medicines currently used in the country are imported, despite the potential to produce many of them domestically.

He said the plan was presented by the National Vaccine Institute, the Ministry of Health, and other institutions. Developing local production would help reduce drug costs and enable the government to provide more medication through the FPHC program. The government has also established agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers to ensure medicines like metformin are available.

Additionally, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has been strengthened, with uncapped funding and timely payments to healthcare providers. No co-payments should be made at health facilities, as the government has covered treatment costs. The Ghana Medical Trust Fund supports patients with serious conditions, and major hospitals are being equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment infrastructure. Mahama emphasized the importance of a healthy population for a prosperous nation.