Government targets local production of up to 80% of essential medicines by 2030
The government is planning to amend public procurement laws to ensure that state institutions prioritise medicines manufactured in Ghana when making purchases with public funds.
The Ghanaian government is aiming to increase local production of essential medicines to between 60 and 80 percent by 2030, as part of its New Economy agenda and a US$1 billion Pharmaceutical and Biomanufacturing Compact. Currently, the country imports between 70 and 75 percent of its medicine requirements, costing approximately US$500 million annually.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced plans to amend public procurement laws to prioritize locally manufactured medicines when state institutions make purchases with public funds, provided they meet approved quality standards. This shift is expected to reduce dependence on imported medicines, conserve foreign exchange, and position Ghana as a pharmaceutical manufacturing and export hub for West Africa.
To support this goal, the government will establish pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing hubs in the Eastern and Central Regions, generate around 20,000 jobs, and encourage local manufacturers to secure WHO prequalification for their products.
Brief written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
