A UEMOA meeting is scheduled for 2-4 April in Lomé on the issue of the dependence of African countries on drug factories.

The local pharmaceutical industry is facing major challenges that result in the absence of drug factories in Africa. Indeed, several factors are at the origin of the limited capacity of African countries to produce the medicines they need locally. These include lack of investment, strict regulations, inadequate infrastructure, and excessive dependence on imports. Nonetheless, the main obstacle would be the lack of investment in the African pharmaceutical industry.
In reality, manufacturing and distribution infrastructures are often inadequate or obsolete, making it difficult for pharmaceutical factories to be set up and operate effectively. Also, the logistical challenges associated with the transport of raw materials and finished products also contribute to the difficulty of maintaining profitable production operations

Faced with these challenges, African governments and pharmaceutical industry players need to intensify their efforts to stimulate the development of the local pharmaceutical industry. This would contribute to strengthening the continent's health autonomy, stimulating economic development and creating local jobs in the pharmaceutical sector