Ghana plans local production of active pharmaceutical ingredients to cut drug imports

Ghana is planning to develop local capacity to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), the key components responsible for the therapeutic effects of medicines, as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported drugs. Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, Augustus Goosie Tanoh, says building a domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing industry is critical to achieving healthcare sovereignty and strengthening the country’s ability to meet its healthcare needs. Speaking at the Africa Bio Conference on October 27, Mr Tanoh said about 70 per cent of medicines used in Ghana are imported, while local manufacturers also depend heavily on foreign suppliers for raw materials. He said Ghana must move beyond producing finished medicines to manufacturing the active ingredients used in their production.

“Ghana does not produce that active ingredient. We must begin to produce it,” he said. Mr Tanoh disclosed that a proposed 2,000-acre Legon Pharmaceutical Innovation Park, under the 24-Hour Economy Programme and in partnership with Zeme Biohub Limited, is expected to support pharmaceutical manufacturing, research, diagnostics and medical-device production. The proposed facility is also expected to provide opportunities for researchers and start-ups to develop innovations into commercially viable products. He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among researchers, investors and regulators to ensure locally manufactured medicines meet the required safety, quality and efficacy standards. Mr Tanoh further called for priority to be given to medicines for diabetes and other non-communicable diseases, which he said account for a significant proportion of deaths in Ghana. Meanwhile, the President of Sena Institute of…