Government failing to encourage local production.
The creeping pharcaceutical industry in Cameroon, is crying for revival. For decades, the state of Cameroon has been importing pharmaceutical products from other countries. Therefore, killing the efforts made by local entrepreneurs in this sector.
The huge amount spent on the importation of pharmaceutical items into the country discourages home made production.The Cameroon government after years of spending much money on the importation of pharmaceutical products have decided to boost the industry. According to the Minister of Industry, Gabriel Dodo Ndocke, two lines of actions need to be put in place.
To the minister, improving the competitiveness of pharmaceutical industry is the first step to be taken. This will be done via updating and reducing the tax burden on existing industrial units. Again, he pointed out, the financial capacity of the national Supply Center For Drugs and Essential Medical Consumables (CENAME) would be strenghtened.Densification and diversification of the local pharmaceutical industry will be the second step to take.
This will be done through the development of wood and non-wood resources in the production of medicine. An member of government, explained that the nation can boast of over fiften industrial units that produce medical consumables and liquid, dry and injectable medicines. It is sad to notice that natioal production of essential drugs covers less than 5% of annual domestic demand which is not more than 200 billion CFAF.
He added that the country spends more on importing these products.For the pharmaceutical industry to succeed in Cameroon, he continued, the high cost of production, massive and fraudulent drug importations must give way. Inadequate materials and equipments not leaving out barrier to necessary funding has been a stumbling block for the progress of the industry. Thus the development of a real local pharmaceutical industry still remains a dream.
Takang Bisong