Government insists on making the nation a pharmaceutical hub

Company News of Friday, February 8, 2019

Source: thebftonline.com

2019-02-08

The government is continually creating the enabling environment needed to make Ghana a pharmaceutical center in the subregion, not only to support the delivery of health care, but also to create jobs, said Kingsley Aboagye-Gyedu, vice -health Minister.

"I urge all pharmaceutical stakeholders, including the private sector, to pool their resources to transform Ghana into a dynamic research and development and pharmaceutical production center, not only to support health care, but also to create jobs and the benefits that flow from them. to millions in Ghana, "he said.

He said these jobs would be offered to countless graduates who do not have safe jobs and live below their potential as future leaders, managers and actors of Ghana's socio-economic systems.

Mr. Aboagye-Gyedu spoke at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ghana Pharmacy Chamber and the city of Apolonia for the creation of a village of pharma in the Appolonia Business Park, to meet the unique needs of the pharmaceutical industry.

The minister said his department and the chamber are implementing policies and programs to ensure that drugs are available to patients at the right time and at the right cost.

"To help increase access to essential health care and medicines at affordable prices, the government has implemented several measures in the health sector to support the local pharmaceutical industry and strengthen its capacity. to produce essential drugs at competitive prices, "he said.

He added that, as part of the support, locally manufactured pharmaceuticals are zero-rated under the Law on Value Added Tax (VAT) and that there are also restrictions on the importation of 49 products that the local pharmaceutical industry is expected to have sufficient production capacity.

Regarding the signing of the memorandum of understanding, Mr. Aboagye-Gyedu stated that he had no doubt that the signing ceremony would lead to the creation of an economic park reserved for the industries pharmaceuticals. "This will lead to a generation of modern pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities that will be in the most competitive position to meet all relevant international standards," he said.

Harrison Abutiate, President of the Ghana Chamber of Pharmacy, explained that the Pharma Village – a 60-acre lot located in Appolonia City – will encourage Ghanaians' participation and collaboration in international business transactions through joint ventures, licensing technology, outsourcing and franchises. the power of public procurement to support local investment.

"The Pharma Village will help reduce the high number of imported medicines, which account for about 70% of the market. The creation of this enclave will therefore reduce the pressure on foreign exchange and will also contribute to the creation of jobs directly and indirectly, "he said.

Bright Owusu-Amofah, CEO of Appolonia City, said that signing a protocol agreement with the Ghana Pharmacy Chamber shows that the Apolonia business park is the most ideal industrial zone of the country, and that it is ready to serve the others.

"It's a win-win situation for everyone involved. In Appolonia, our main model is to develop land and invest in the necessary infrastructure; and the Chamber of Pharmacy, they support the manufacture, import and distribution of pharmaceuticals. It makes sense for both of us to team up, "he said.

"They saw the need to work with us and that means it's catalyzing the industrial park. For their part, it is the beginning of a dream come true. We will help them develop their park so that it is adapted to their production, "he said.

The cost of healthcare has steadily increased: from 4,8 4.8 billion in 2016 to 5 5.2 billion in 2017; and, similarly, the forecast expenditure for pharmaceutical products, which amounted to 1.2 billion GH ¢ in 2016 but reached 1.3 billion GH ¢ in 2017.

According to data from the World Health Organization's National Health Account, pharmaceuticals account for more than 15% of global healthcare spending, and governments around the world are the biggest buyers of products. pharmaceuticals.