Cameroon: Minister Highlights Pharmaceutical Production Challenges

• Cameroon has increased its pharmaceutical production units from 7 in 2020 to 19 by 2026.
• Despite growth, local pharmaceutical output meets less than 5% of national consumption needs.
• The country's 239 approved pharmaceutical products cover only about 15% of the National Essential Medicines List.
• Key challenges for manufacturers include limited financing, energy supply issues, raw material sourcing, import competition, and payment delays for public orders.
• The government has implemented customs and tax exemptions for certain inputs and equipment to support local production.

Despite this growth in facilities, the nation continues to grapple with a substantial Cameroon medicine manufacturing deficit, as locally produced medicines currently satisfy less than five percent of the country's total consumption requirements.

Cameroon has significantly expanded its pharmaceutical manufacturing infrastructure, increasing the number of production units from seven in 2020 to nineteen by 2026. Despite this growth in facilities, the nation continues to grapple with a substantial Cameroon medicine manufacturing deficit, as locally produced medicines currently satisfy less than five percent of the country's total consumption requirements. This critical shortfall was highlighted by Public Health Minister Dr. Manaouda Malachie, who presented these figures following a high-level ministerial dialogue.

The existing local production capacity also falls short in terms of product diversity. Currently, Cameroon has 239 approved pharmaceutical products, which collectively cover only about fifteen percent of the National Essential Medicines List. This limited scope underscores the ongoing reliance on imported pharmaceuticals to meet the vast majority of public health needs, despite the government's efforts to bolster domestic manufacturing capabilities.

The challenges facing Cameroon's pharmaceutical sector are multifaceted, as detailed by Dr. Manaouda Malachie during a recent international forum. Manufacturers in the country consistently encounter difficulties in securing adequate financing, which is crucial for investment in infrastructure and operations. Furthermore, an unstable energy supply poses a significant impediment to consistent production, impacting efficiency and operational costs.

Access to essential raw materials remains another critical hurdle, often leading to delays and increased expenses for local producers. The domestic industry also faces intense Cameroon pharmaceutical import competition from foreign products, which can often be more cost-effective or readily available. Adding to these operational difficulties are delays in payments for public orders, creating cash flow issues for local pharmaceutical companies. These Cameroon pharmaceutical production challenges collectively hinder the sector's ability to scale up and meet national demand effectively.

The figures and challenges were disclosed by the Ministry of Public Health after a significant ministerial dialogue held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on August 24. This meeting took place concurrently with the 76th session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for Africa, bringing together African health ministers and other key stakeholders. The primary objectives of these discussions were to examine strategies for strengthening African pharmaceutical regulation and expanding the regional production of vital medical products.

In response to the identified challenges, the Cameroonian government has initiated several measures aimed at supporting the local pharmaceutical industry. These include the introduction of Cameroon pharmaceutical tax exemptions and customs exemptions for specific inputs and equipment necessary for manufacturing. Such policies, alongside other measures such as preference, aim to create a more conducive environment for domestic producers, mitigating some of the financial and logistical burdens they face and working towards greater self-sufficiency in essential medicines.

Lawyers advising pharmaceutical clients in Cameroon should note the persistent challenges in local production, including financing and raw material access, and be aware of the government's efforts like customs and tax exemptions, which may present opportunities or require compliance adjustments. Compliance officers should monitor policy developments aimed at boosting local manufacturing and reducing import reliance, as these could impact supply chain strategies and regulatory obligations.

Source: Original reporting via {source}