Aspen’s drive to advance Africa’s pharmaceutical production

Aspen, a leading pharmaceutical firm, is taking significant strides towards advocating for the production of local vaccines in Africa. The continent's healthcare system is facing challenges due to its heavy reliance on imported healthcare products, with less than 5% of medicines and 1% of vaccines currently being produced locally. Stavros Nicolaou, Senior Executive for Strategic Trade at Aspen, recently discussed the progress of Aspen's ambitious plan to have 60% of vaccines produced locally by 2040, catering to a market of approximately 1.4 billion citizens. Nicolaou highlighted key developments, including the launch of the African vaccine manufacturers accelerator by Gavi, a significant step towards supporting local vaccine production on the continent. Additionally, PEPFAR's commitment to procure a portion of antiretrovirals from African manufacturers showcases growing momentum towards localization. However, regulatory challenges remain, particularly in streamlining the World Health Organization pre-qualification process for African producers. Nicolaou emphasized the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area in driving procurement efficiency and cost reduction through pooled resources and tariff reductions. By aggregating volumes and enhancing regulatory harmonization, African countries can boost local manufacturing capabilities and ultimately enhance global competitiveness. The shift towards local production is expected to result in cost savings for citizens in the long term, positioning African manufacturers for success both regionally and globally.