Unveiling the Obstacles: A Top African Pharma Executive's Perspective on Local Manufacturing
The African pharmaceutical industry is at a crossroads, facing challenges that could either propel its growth or hinder its progress. In a candid revelation at the Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) 2025, Dr. Stavros Nicolaou, a prominent executive at Aspen Pharmacare, shed light on the barriers impeding local manufacturing.
Dr. Nicolaou's insights were eye-opening, particularly his critique of the regulatory hurdles and procurement policies that have left drug manufacturers in Africa struggling to reach their full potential. He emphasized the absurdity of a six-year qualification process before entering the market, suggesting that it could be streamlined to half the time.
But the executive's concerns went beyond operational inefficiencies. He challenged the notion that African manufacturers are uncompetitive, citing Aspen's impressive global footprint. With operations in 55 markets and patients in over 150 countries, Aspen is a leading supplier of generic anesthetics outside the US, debunking the myth of African manufacturers' lack of competitiveness.
The call for action was clear: a shift in multilateral procurement by organizations like Gavi, UNICEF, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Dr. Nicolaou proposed that the recently established African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) is not adequately addressing the issue, suggesting that the $1.2 billion funding over 10 years is insufficient for the 'fill-and-finish' process.
The executive's frustration was palpable when he pointed out the lack of progress since the African Union and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) set the ambitious goal of 60% vaccine self-sufficiency by 2040. He questioned the effectiveness of the AVMA, given that 'nothing has happened' in over four years.
Dr. Nicolaou's response to South Africa's Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Blade Nzimande, was equally thought-provoking. While Nzimande advocated for building sovereign capacity in R&D, Dr. Nicolaou emphasized the need for practical steps, such as pooled procurement of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics, to address the immediate challenges.
The executive's disappointment in Africa's reliance on imports, despite having the highest disease burden, was evident. He highlighted the growing trade deficit in pharmaceuticals, particularly in high-volume products like antiretrovirals and vaccines. Dr. Nicolaou proposed a three-point plan, including priority review and parallel submission for medicine licensing, increased Gavi subsidies for local vaccine production, and a continent-wide procurement pool to unlock economies of scale.
In conclusion, Dr. Nicolaou's insights underscored the urgency of addressing the barriers to local manufacturing. His call for action, backed by practical solutions, is a wake-up call for policymakers and industry leaders to collaborate and drive the African pharmaceutical industry towards a more sustainable and self-reliant future.
