Mahama says Ghana will reduce 70% medicine import dependence under five-year plan
The government is pursuing a five-year strategic plan to strengthen the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry to enable the country to produce a greater proportion of the medicines it currently imports, President John Dramani Mahama has said.
President John Dramani Mahama announced a five-year plan aimed at reducing Ghana's dependence on medicine imports by 70%, according to a recent free primary healthcare durbar in Zuarungu, Upper East Region. Currently, Ghana imports approximately 70% of the medicines it uses, burdening the health financing system and affecting patients' access to affordable medications.
The plan seeks to strengthen the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, enabling the country to produce essential medicines locally and potentially export them to neighboring nations. Achieving self-sufficiency would allow Ghana to procure drugs at lower costs and ensure better access to treatment, particularly at primary healthcare facilities.
The government is committed to supporting pharmaceutical manufacturers and aligning the initiative with broader healthcare goals, such as strengthening the healthcare system and reducing medication costs for citizens. So far, the government has signed agreements with various drug manufacturing companies to provide medicines while working towards increasing domestic production.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
