Rwanda’s Ministry of Health Launches Major Initiative to Boost Africa’s Pharmaceutical Industry

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

Rwanda’s Ministry of Health (MoH) through Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), has on May 20, 2024, officially launched a significant project to advance the pharmaceutical sector across Africa.

This initiative aims to make high-quality medicines more accessible and affordable for African countries.

The project, inaugurated on May 20, 2024, during the third annual Health Research and Policy Conference, seeks to promote cooperation among African nations in pharmaceutical production and support local manufacturers in obtaining international quality certifications.

The two-day conference brings together policymakers, researchers, health professionals, and stakeholders to forge a united front to shape the future of health in Rwanda.

The project has three main components, ranging from the establishment of the headquarters of the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation (APTF) of the African Development Bank in Rwanda to support the pharmaceutical sector continent-wide, facilitating the procurement of medicines and resolving related challenges, and ensuring the project’s successful implementation and achievement of its goals.

Experts explored best practices in the research ecosystem, gaps and opportunities in health research, and key recommendations for collaboration.

Dr. Ntihabose Corneille, the Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, emphasized that this project will strengthen Africa’s pharmaceutical industries, particularly by enhancing the Rwanda FDA Laboratory’s capacity to test and certify medicine quality.

“This initiative will significantly empower pharmaceutical industries in Africa, while also boosting our national efforts to produce medicines and vaccines. By supporting the Rwanda FDA Laboratory in testing and certifying medicines, we can enhance pharmaceutical production capabilities both locally and continent-wide,” Dr. Ntihabose said.

He also highlighted that the project is expected to make medicines more affordable and elevate the expertise of health professionals, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector.

“We anticipate increased availability of medicines, timely access, and reduced costs. Additionally, this project offers a valuable opportunity for health professionals, especially those in the pharmaceutical field, to improve their skills and gain employment, benefiting both Rwanda and Africa as a whole,” Dr. Ntihabose added.

He indicated that this project aims to increase local pharmaceutical production and reduce dependency on imports.

In his presentation on delivered a presentation on Rwanda’s National Health Research Strategy. Dr. Eric Remera, the Division Manager overseeing Research Innovation and Data Science at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) emphasized the critical significance of capacity building and leveraging data science to enhance the overall quality and efficacy of research efforts.

Prof. Dr. Claude M. Muvunyi, Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), emphasized the need to bridge the gap between research and policy implementation for success. Currently, less than 5% of the medicines needed by African populations are produced on the continent, with nearly 95% imported.

Valued at over 15 billion Rwandan Francs, the project will span approximately three years under the funding support of the African Development Bank.

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