Minister of Health commends local pharmaceuticals companies

Minister of Health Professor Roma Chilengi has expressed strong government support for domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers, praising their ongoing investments in local drug production facilities. Speaking on the importance of bolstering national health infrastructure, Professor Chilengi emphasized that boosting local manufacturing capacity is critical not only for job creation but also for reducing the country's heavy reliance on costly pharmaceutical imports. The push for localized manufacturing aligns with the broader national agenda to foster industrialization, enhance supply chain resilience, and ensure equitable access to essential medicines across public and private healthcare facilities. By encouraging domestic production, the Zambian government aims to position the local health sector on a more sustainable footing, mitigating external shocks and supply chain vulnerabilities that have historically affected the availability of vital medical supplies. Industry stakeholders have welcomed the Minister's acknowledgment, pointing out that local pharmaceutical firms require targeted policy support, streamlined regulatory processes by bodies like the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA), and favorable fiscal incentives to scale up operations. Expanding domestic capacity will allow local players to compete more effectively within regional markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), transforming Zambia into a budding pharmaceutical hub for the region. At the same time, the Ministry is stepping up measures to safeguard the integrity of the pharmaceutical sector. Alongside promoting local production, the government is rolling out advanced traceability and authentication mechanisms to curb the illicit diversion of medicines and protect consumers from substandard products. Together, these dual efforts of nurturing domestic industry while enforcing strict regulatory oversight signal a comprehensive approach to reforming Zambia's healthcare