Pharmaceutical action plan launched in Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, has detailed a 10 year action plan to develop the country’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity.

The strategy, which was prepared with assistance from the World Health Organization and the European Union Commission, is intended to enable Ethiopia to increase access to locally manufactured, quality-assured medicine.
“This national strategy and plan of action will contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth and social development,” said Mr Demeke at the launch of the initiative.
Minister of Health, Kesetebirhan Admasu (MD), added that the strategic plan will “improve access to essential medicine” and “contribute to building a knowledge economy, harnessing research and development.”
This, he said, would “exert a positive pressure on the country’s educational system.”
WHO’s director general, Margaret Chan, also welcomed the plan, underscoring that access to medicine is an “integral component of universal health coverage”.  
The strategy lays down a roadmap to grow Ethiopia’s pharmaceutical output supply of local factories from 20 to 60% whilst raising the local investment from USD 2 million to USD 80 million by the close of the 10 year period.

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Phill Allen

Managing Director

An in and outside the (bioprocess) box thinker, fluid management specialist Phill knows a thing or two about keeping pharma liquid logistics flowing.

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