20/03/2024
Take a look at these numbers;
✅ Only 3% of the world's pharmaceuticals are manufactured in Africa.
✅1.4 billion people are thought to be served by less than 400 pharmaceutical companies on the continent. There are roughly 5,000 and 10,500 medicine manufacturers in China and India, respectively.
✅ Africa may produce between 30 and 40 percent of the value of all pharmaceutical demands, with North Africa producing the most.
✅ Only 20 African countries are capable of manufacturing pharmaceuticals, with eight of those countries producing about 80% of the continent's total output.
✅ Imports supply 70% of Africa's needs for pharmaceutical products.
✅ Local production meets less than 1% of Africa's vaccine needs.
These figures together present a dismal image of vulnerability and a lack of independence when it comes to granting people access to safe, high-quality, and efficient medical items.
hence impeding the efforts of numerous African governments to protect the continent's public health.
For this reason, the discussion concerning increased local production is relevant.
No one can dispute the potential advantages that could be realized despite the fact that many have questioned whether local manufacturing is feasible. These include: enhanced supply security, increased affordability, reduced trade deficits, and much more.
As you see it,
What steps should be taken, in your opinion, to improve African domestic manufacturing of medical products?
Tell us in the comments below.
For this reason, the discussion concerning increased local production is relevant.
Tell us in the comments below.
12/03/2024
Check out the results of a recent LinkedIn poll we conducted recently.
We asked our community what, in their opinion, is the main reason why there is low pharmacovigilance reporting of medication errors in Africa.
See results below and follow African Pharmaceutical Review for more insights.
02/03/2024
Have you seen the recent product recall notice by South African Health Products Regulatory Authority?
A recall of Arthrexin 25mg capsules, batch number P0003739, was initiated due to a complaint concerning incorrect labelling found on some containers. (Source: SAHPRA)
It was indicated that Arthrexin 25mg capsules were found in a container labelled Arthrexin 50mg, exposing patients to a potential risk of underdosing.
Arthrexin is used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation (swelling, redness and soreness) that may occur due to gout, arthritis, menstrual pain and other conditions.
Follow African Pharmaceutical Review for more updates.
14/08/2023
Dr. Joyce Gikunda: The pharmacist who dared to dream of beauty
An interview with Dr. Joyce Gikunda, who made a successful transition from the pharmaceutical to the beauty industry. She is an exceptional entrepreneur.
16/05/2023
PLEASE DO NOT CONSUME EXPIRED MEDICINES!
Once a medicine cross the threshold of the labelled expiry date, there is no guarantee that such medicine is at the accepted levels of quality, safety and effectiveness.
Antibiotics, for example may undergo degradation into sub-potent levels potentially leading to treatment failure and antibiotic resistance.
For the pharmaceutical players, apart from putting patients' lives in danger, trading in expired medicines can lead to litigations and hefty fines as is in the case below. SO JUST DO NOT DO IT!
https://lnkd.in/dcipiBVM
CVS to pay $7.5 million after selling expired medicine and baby food
Prosecutors filed a civil lawsuit against CVS in Santa Cruz County Superior Court for allegedly selling baby food, medication and infant formula beyond its 'use-by' date.
20/02/2023
“They don’t have any side effects,”
“That is how magical the tablets can be."
“The pill acts as an energy booster that helps burn fat, detoxify, and reduces bloating, and it has *no side effects*,”
“The pills eat up your pot belly, and are effective after three weeks,”
“I am not so new in this business, three years of convincing people to buy your products is not easy. One thing I avoid is media publicity. "
These are some excerpts from this article on BD today. If these do not scream RED FLAG!!! to you, honestly I don't know what will.
Yes we are living in an information age but the source of information is as crucial as the information itself. Especially in matters that determine whether you will be alive tomorrow or not.
Reliance on Instagram influencers, who lets be honest are just trying to curve out a livelihood for themselves wont cut it. Be vigilant with your pharma supply chains.
https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/lifestyle/health-fitness/obesity-black-market-drugs--4129728
Obesity black market drugs
From pharmaceutical companies, and downtown traders, to online sellers, the race to get a slice of the obesity market is cutthroat.
09/02/2023
AVOID OVERSTOCKING OR UNDERSTOCKING MEDICINES!
Determining what medicines to order and when to make these orders is a key pillar of success in any pharmacy business. Getting this wrong may be the difference between profit , loss, expired medicines and service delivery.
From this video, learn key replenishment strategies to use to increase efficiency in your pharma supply chains.
Learn more lessons on pharma inventory management here: https://lnkd.in/dWGesU98
https://lnkd.in/dX853UDv
Deciding what medicines to order for your pharmacy. SAVE MILLIONS!!
Learn what medicines and when to order these medicines to prevent overstocking and understocking. Save your phamacy millions by having a key strategies when ...
11/01/2023
"The healthcare sector is dealing with a very serious issue: pharmaceutical counterfeiting. The lack of transparency in pharmaceutical supply chains makes it easy for fraud and manipulation to occur. Since blockchain technology enables system clarity and data integrity, it gives ideal solutions to combat pharmaceutical counterfeiting. It provides total, end-to-end supply chain transparency."
The Worldwide Blockchain Technology in Healthcare Industry is Expected to Reach $5.3 Billion by 2028 - ResearchAndMarkets.com
The
18/10/2022
Interesting article on how healthcare consumers can use QR codes to fight against counterfeit drugs that creep into pharma supply chains.
Usability of QR codes for healthcare consumers to tackle counterfeit drugs
The pharmaceutical industry suffers an annual loss of around $150 billion due to the replacement of real medications with fake versions of them. In addition to costing consumers money, illegal narcotics endanger lives and cause...
11/10/2022
During the supply chain conference one of the speakers made a statement that resonated with me; 'when it comes to supply chains, risk is defense while agility is offense.
Semi-conductor chip crisis was a topic that was (and still is) heavily discussed among many supply chain gurus. Rightfully so; the shortage led car productions to grind to a halt, as well as delayed consumer electronic product launches.
Thankfully, with this matter, there is a substantial light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. It may be time to take the conversation about the pharma supply chain crisis a few notches higher. Shortage in products such as medical grade sodium alginate and glucagon-like peptide I receptor agonists is driving drug prices higher by the day while reducing access to life saving medicines.
Lets continue the conversation with how we can build pharma supply chain resilience, especially in the African context where we rely heavily on imports for our medicinal needs.
Check out my free lesson on replenishment strategies for pharma invemtory here: https://lnkd.in/d7JhVDxi
https://lnkd.in/dPNsckBN
Fragile medicines supply chain causing worst stock issues 'in four years', says wholesaler - The Pharmaceutical Journal
The UK is facing a serious problem in its supply of medicines, which is driving up prices for the NHS, according to the head of sales at a major wholesaler. Speaking at an event for members of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMp) held near Birmingham on 29 September 2022, David....
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