Algeria and Africa CDC Discuss Pharmaceutical Production and Health Sovereignty

Algeria’s Minister of Pharmaceutical Industry, Wassim Kouidri, received Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, at the ministry’s headquarters on Monday.

According to a ministry statement, the meeting provided an opportunity to present Algeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and review the progress achieved in expanding domestic medicine production.

The two officials also discussed prospects for deeper cooperation, particularly in strengthening Africa’s ability to produce medicines and vaccines, exchanging expertise, and supporting initiatives aimed at improving public health systems and achieving greater health security across the continent.

Their discussions focused on practical ways to implement the outcomes of the Algiers Declaration, adopted following the African ministerial conference on the local production of medicines and other health technologies.

Both sides highlighted the importance of developing regional industrial hubs, expanding local manufacturing, and encouraging technology transfer. These measures are intended to help build an integrated, sustainable African pharmaceutical production system capable of responding more effectively to the continent’s health needs.

The meeting also stressed the value of pooled procurement mechanisms for medicines and vaccines. Such mechanisms could strengthen the negotiating position of African countries, reduce costs, improve supply chain efficiency, and increase access to essential pharmaceutical products.

The two officials noted that coordinated purchasing could also help reduce inequalities between countries by ensuring fairer and more reliable access to vital medicines and vaccines, especially during health emergencies or periods of supply disruption.

Algeria and Africa CDC reaffirmed their commitment to supporting African pharmaceutical sovereignty through stronger industrial cooperation, knowledge sharing, and regional coordination.

The talks reflected a shared objective of reducing the continent’s dependence on external suppliers while creating more resilient health systems, improving preparedness for future crises, and ensuring that African populations have equitable access to safe, effective, and affordable health products, produced increasingly within the continent itself.