Addis Ababa, June 15, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia’s domestic production of medicines and other medical supplies has reached 36 percent, Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba disclosed.
The Minister made the remark during the 100-day performance review of current Ethiopian fiscal year held in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The Minister highlighted the successful activities carried out to modernize and expand the health services in the country.
The healthcare services being rendered to mothers, children and infants have been improving as a result of measures taken to mitigate problems facing the sector, she stated.
The ‘Made in Ethiopia’ national movement which is being carried out over the past two years to encourage domestic manufacturing productivity, have also been playing significant contribution in enhancing local production of drugs and other medical supplies.
Ethiopia’s domestic production capacity of drugs and other medical supplies was only 8 percent, the minister said; however, currently, the country has been able to cover 36 percent of drugs and other medical supplies by domestic production.
The incentives being provided to encourage domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers and entrants of new investors in the sector are some of the contributing factors for the achievements.
She said 2 medicine manufacturing companies have entered into Ethiopia and commenced production over the past 100 days alone, as called by ENA.
The country is exerting efforts to manufacture drugs and other medical supplies with a vision to cover domestic demand and export to African countries.