GPMA warns of $750m annual expenditure on imported medicines

Dr. Lucia Addae, the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (GPMA), has expressed grave concern over the country's heavy reliance on imported medicines. According to data provided by the association, Ghana currently spends more than $750 million annually to bring in pharmaceuticals from abroad. This substantial financial drain highlights a significant vulnerability in the national healthcare supply chain, as the vast majority of essential drugs consumed within the country are produced elsewhere.

Currently, local pharmaceutical companies are only able to satisfy approximately 30% of the domestic demand for medicines. This leaves a 70% gap that must be filled by international suppliers, which often leads to higher costs for consumers and exposes the country to potential global supply chain disruptions. Dr. Addae emphasized that this imbalance underscores the urgent necessity for the government and industry stakeholders to prioritize and expand domestic manufacturing capacity to ensure long-term national health security.

The GPMA is advocating for a strategic shift that would empower local manufacturers to play a more dominant role in the market. By increasing domestic production, Ghana could reduce its foreign exchange expenditure and create high-skilled jobs within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. The association believes that with the right regulatory support and a favorable investment climate, local firms could significantly reduce the $750 million import bill while making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all Ghanaians.