Algeria’s Minister of Health, Mohamed Nadir Ait Said, has urged African nations to collaborate in transforming the continent into a global pharmaceutical hub. Speaking at the opening of the African Ministerial Conference on Local Pharmaceutical Production and Health Technologies in Algiers, the minister emphasized Africa’s potential to achieve pharmaceutical sovereignty, citing its human capital, scientific capabilities, and economic resources.
The conference, held under the patronage of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, brought together ministers and representatives from over 15 countries, along with members of the African diplomatic corps. Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui presided over the opening session.
Minister Ait Said stressed that achieving this goal requires close coordination, the activation of regional cooperation mechanisms, and the establishment of pan-African drug production centers. He highlighted the crucial role of regional institutions and technical and financial partners in supporting this endeavor. He stated that developing the pharmaceutical industry and strengthening health sovereignty in Africa is a shared priority demanding collective political will and extensive regional cooperation.
The minister pointed out that the conference arrives at a critical juncture for the continent, particularly after the global health crisis exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains and over-reliance on imports. The current situation necessitates profound reforms that solidify the concept of health sovereignty, built on pharmaceutical independence, innovation, and regional solidarity.
Ait Said emphasized that national pharmaceutical production is no longer merely an industrial choice but a cornerstone of health security, economic development, and social stability. Strengthening local capacities ensures access to essential medicines, reduces supply disruptions, and combats counterfeit products.
He called for a modern and harmonized regulatory framework based on international standards, and the acceleration of African regulatory convergence to facilitate trade and investment in the pharmaceutical sector.
