Investing in sustainable healthcare for Africa

The pharmaceutical industry in sub-Saharan Africa has been steadily growing with the increasing population and prevalence of non-communicable diseases, along with a focus on improving healthcare infrastructure. Despite these positive trends, access to affordable healthcare remains a significant challenge in many sub-Saharan African markets. Novartis, a key player in the pharmaceutical industry, established a dedicated organization in 2019 to reach more patients in sub-Saharan Africa, home to one of the largest underserved populations in the world. The potential of the pharmaceutical industry in the region is estimated to be over $15 billion, comprising branded medicines, branded generics, and generics. To fully unlock this potential, initiatives such as the establishment of the Africa Medicines Agency and regulatory harmonization in Africa are crucial in providing fast access to innovative medicines. There are significant opportunities in the sector, but attracting enough investors remains a concern. Universal health coverage is a key focus for the industry, ensuring that everyone has access to affordable healthcare for a healthier and more productive society. This goal requires collaboration between governments, public-private partnerships, and various financing systems. Integration of the African market and regional clustering of pharmaceutical industries can increase demand and create a more favorable environment for manufacturers and investors. The implementation of the African continental free trade agreement is expected to facilitate this process, focusing on economies of scale in clinical trials, manufacturing, and human resources. Harmonization of regulatory frameworks is another critical aspect to streamline processes and ensure that medicines can be supplied across all markets within sub-Saharan Africa with a single approval. These initiatives are essential to boost the pharmaceutical sector in the region. Addressing challenges such as access to medicine and manufacturing capacity requires interventions like the consolidation of requests through platforms such as the Africa Medical Supply Platform to achieve economies of scale. By consolidating requests for essential medications used in primary healthcare, better prices and faster access to medicines can be achieved. Counterfeit medicines pose a significant risk to patients in Africa due to limited funding, fragmented markets, weak healthcare systems, and counterfeit medications circulating in the region. Managing counterfeit medicines is crucial to ensuring access to the right medications for patients. Access to funding through national health insurance funds and establishing sustainable models can reduce reliance on donors for healthcare services in sub-Saharan Africa.