Algiers, Algeria – African nations convened in Algiers this Thursday to address the critical need for enhanced collaboration in pharmaceutical production, aiming to achieve continental drug sovereignty and bolster health security. The ministerial session, themed “Drug Sovereignty: A Pillar of Health Security and Industrial Development in Africa,” emphasized the urgency of collective action.
The session, a key event within the African Ministerial Conference on Local Pharmaceutical Production and Health Technologies, brought together African health ministers and representatives. The conference, held at the Abdellatif Rahal International Conference Centre, operates under the high patronage of the President of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Discussions centered on strengthening intra-African cooperation in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, particularly for essential medicines. The Egyptian Ambassador to Algeria, Abdel Latif Al-Layeh, highlighted the importance of supporting joint production initiatives and leveraging the expertise of leading nations like Algeria and Egypt, which have made significant strides in manufacturing essential pharmaceuticals and vaccines.
Participants also explored regional agreements under the African Union framework aimed at advancing the continent’s pharmaceutical industry. The forthcoming Algiers Declaration, a key outcome of the conference, is expected to outline recommendations for strengthening the African pharmaceutical sector, fostering a favorable investment climate for expanding drug and medical device production, and developing the medical equipment manufacturing industry.
The declaration aspires to create a foundation for enhanced African collaboration in the pharmaceutical domain, with the goal of producing 55% of the continent’s drug needs locally. This ambitious target is seen as crucial for strengthening the health security of African nations. The conference, which runs from November 27-29, is organized by the Algerian Ministries of Pharmaceutical Industry and Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, under the slogan: “Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: A Driver for Economic Growth and Public Health.”
