Africa experts and policy makers explore boosting countries’ progress in pharmaceutical innovation

A group of experts and policy makers from across Africa tabled practical approaches and action points aimed at boosting pharmaceutical innovation on the continent. Their emphasis was on putting countries in the drivers’ seat for their medicines access, development and local production. This was the conclusion of the extended technical committee of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa, in Pretoria, concluded on February 20.

The meeting addressed the problems and challenges faced by African countries in their quest to improve access to essential medical products for their people, to do pharmaceutical research, and look ways to stimulate local production of medicines.
At the center of the discussions was the review of a new pharmaceutical innovation ‘tool’ to help countries design national pharmaceutical action plans. The tool, which was reviewed and improved by the expert group, was specially developed to support countries’ innovation planning needs, by COHRED and NEPAD with the George Institute for International Health. A number of participants saw the tool as a practical way for their countries to design strategies as a first step toward attracting investment in access and innovation.The experts suggested steps to support country innovation strategies. These include the creation of mechanisms for improving regional scientific cooperation, the cross-country sharing of research information and best practices, building research skills in countries – based on needs they define – and financing considerations for improving access.
The meeting was a unique event on Africa’s pharmaceutical innovation landscape. And probably the first such gathering to bring together African researchers with the pharmaceutical industry, non-governmental organisations and senior political representatives to explore how African countries can become more self sufficient in providing access to essential medicines and pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing.
Significantly, the meeting received strong support from several senior African political figures – Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer of The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD); Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s Minister of Science and Technology, and AU Social Affairs Commissioner Bience Gawanas. They applauded the practical steps that the group proposed for African medicines innovation, which will help put into action the emerging innovation and finding mechanisms for countries’ medicines priorities – the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa and Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public, Innovation and Intellectual Property.
These meeting’s debates have significant implications for the future of pharmaceutical innovation and access to medicines on the continent. Africa has a robust set of intergovernmental agreements, Declarations, and national policies in many countries today. But to date these policies have not been effectively put into action. The process being put in motion by the meeting, and the tool will, provide a way to move from policy to action

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