Report highlights role of generic drugmakers in expanding medicine access in Africa

What the report says

The Observer reported on a new Access to Medicine Foundation study saying generic drugmakers could play a larger role in expanding access to essential medicines across Africa as the continent’s disease profile changes and pharmaceutical markets grow. The report focuses on eight multinational and African regional manufacturers, including Aspen Pharmacare, Cipla, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries, EVA Pharma, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Sothema, Universal Corporation Ltd. and Viatris.

The study says demand is rising for long-term treatment of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, while infectious diseases and maternal health needs remain significant. It also points to weak financing, fragmented procurement and uneven regulation as persistent obstacles. The report estimates that only about half of people with type 1 diabetes in Africa have reliable access to insulin, and it warns that non-communicable diseases are likely to become the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa within five years.

According to the report, companies are responding by diversifying suppliers, exploring local production of key ingredients, expanding treatment portfolios and entering partnerships aimed at strengthening manufacturing capacity. The foundation says technology transfer, World Health Organization prequalification and more predictable purchasing commitments could help scale up local production. The Observer noted, however, that drugmakers alone cannot fix the problem; governments, regulators, procurement agencies, development finance institutions and global health groups all need to help reduce market fragmentation and improve demand planning.

The broader significance, the report suggests, is that a more integrated African pharmaceutical market could support local investment while making essential medicines more affordable and consistently available to patients.