Ghana Needs Industrial Park To Boost Pharmaceutical Sector – Bawumia

The Government of Ghana will soon earmark a zone for the development of an industrial park exclusive for the country’s pharmaceutical industries, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has announced.

The move, according to him, will lead to a generation of modern pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities which would be in most competitive position to meet all current international Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards including the WHO-Prequalification standards and to produce high quality affordable medicines not only for local consumption, but also for export into the world market.

Dr. Bawumia made this known on Friday March 2 at the maiden edition of the Ghana Pharma Awards held in Accra.

Government, he further hinted is currently looking at the Ghana Pharmaceutical Sector Development Strategy document and that will consider the proposal to set up a National Bio-equivalence Centre in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association and other stakeholders.

The Ghana Pharma Awards seek to recognize excellence and provide recognition throughout the entire supply chain in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Again it is to celebrate thinkers and creators, and serve as a strong advocate for individuals and companies that are committed to driving the industry forward.

Below is the full statement

VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA ON THE MAIDENEDITIONOFTHEGHANA PHARMA AWARD HELD AT MOVENPICK HOTEL ON 2ND MARCH, 2018

I am happy and most privileged to be part of this maiden edition of the Ghana Pharma Exhibition and Business Forum that seeks to deliberate on how the pharmaceutical landscape can be re-engineered for the future. The government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will like to thank the University of Ghana and the organisers of The Ghana Pharma Award for this wonderful package.

The Ghana Pharma Awards, I understand, recognize excellence and provide recognition throughout the entire supply chain in the Pharmaceutical Industry. It’s intended purpose to celebrate thinkers and creators, and serve as a strong advocate for individuals and companies that are committed to driving the industry forward is commendable. My expectation is that the Awards recognize the industry’s merits and set a benchmark for excellence, whilst rewarding innovative ideas and concepts that have pushed the boundaries of what is possible.

I am reliably informed that throughout the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the University Of Ghana School Of Pharmacy, several discussions and ideas that will shape the industry have been held. I look forward to receiving some action points that will continue to inform Government in our quest to improve the sector.

I believe that the adage “health is wealth” means being sound in body is worth at least as much — or even more than — any material possessions someone can have. Government’s responsibility to protect and advance the interests of society includes the delivery of high-quality health care. Because the market alone cannot ensure all citizens’ access to quality health care, government must preserve the interests of its citizens by supplementing the market where there are gaps and regulating the market where there is inefficiency or unfairness.

The ultimate goal of achieving high quality healthcare will require strong partnerships among national and local governments and the private sector. Translating general principles regarding the appropriate role of government into specific actions within a rapidly changing, decentralized delivery system will require the combined efforts of the public and private sectors, of which the pharmaceutical industry plays a strategic role and influence.

Mr. Chairman, According to the WHO’s National Health Accounts (NHA) data, pharmaceuticals account for over 15% of measured global spending on health. Governments across the globe are the largest buyers of pharmaceuticals.

To help increase access to healthcare and essential medicines at affordable prices, the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government has initiated a number of policy measures in the health sector to Support the local pharmaceutical industry to strengthen their capacity to produce essential medicines at competitive prices.

The 2017 National Budget made provision for the removal of 17.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) on some selected imported medicines that are not locally produced. Additionally, the Government by an Executive Instrument restricted forty nine (49) pharmaceutical products for local manufacturing in 2017.

I am told that through the efforts of the Hon. Minister of Health, various stakeholders in the industry are working on reducing prices of medicines on the national health insurance scheme medicine list by 30%. I commend you for this noble effort and edge you to speed up with the process as His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana is in a hurry. It is believed that, this will help to ensure the financial sustainability of the Scheme and will also improve financial access to the citizenry.

Mr. Chairman, while acknowledging the support of the pharmaceutical society in helping improve healthcare delivery in the country,  permit me to bemoan the fact that most of our rural communities do not have any means of having access to pharmaceutical services delivery unless they travel long distances. This development impedes the objective of making healthcare delivery easily accessible to all Ghanaians, with ramifications for the attainment of the SDGs. I therefore appeal to the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana and all relevant stakeholders to extend pharmaceutical services to the deprived areas or communities in the country.

I urge all the players in the Pharmaceutical sector, including the private sector to pull resources together to turn Ghana into a vibrant pharmaceutical research and development and production hub not only to support healthcare delivery, but also to provide jobs and its associated benefits to millions in Ghana.

It is about time we earmarked a zone within a suitable location to be developed into an industrial park exclusively for pharmaceutical industries. This will lead to a generation of modern pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities which would be in most competitive position to meet all current international Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards including the WHO-Prequalification standards and to produce high quality affordable medicines not only for local consumption, but also for export into the world market.

Government is currently looking at the Ghana Pharmaceutical Sector Development Strategy document and will consider the proposal to set up a National Bio-equivalence Centre in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association and other stakeholders.

Mr Chairman, distinguished invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for the singular honour given me to be part of this ceremony.

I wish the University ofGhana, School of pharmacy happy tenth anniversary.

Longlive PharmaceuticalSocietyofGhana

Long liveChamberofPharmacy, Ghana

Longlive Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU!

Source: Starrfmonline