Drug manufacturing push opens new frontiers for pharmacists

ARUSHA: TANZANIA aims to meet 80 per cent of its domestic medicine demand through local manufacturing by 2030, with Minister for Health Mohamed Mchengerwa urging pharmacy professionals to prepare for expanded roles in pharmaceutical production, research and quality assurance.

Speaking at the Tanzania Pharmaceutical Technicians Association (TAPHATA) Annual General Meeting and scientific conference in Arusha, Mr Mchengerwa said achieving the target would require increased investment, modern training curricula, effective regulation and a skilled workforce committed to protecting public health.

He said President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan had directed the government to strengthen domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and accelerate investment, including through designated industrial areas such as Mloganzila.

Expanding local production could reduce dependence on imported medicines, strengthen supply security, create employment and position Tanzania to serve regional markets.

However, Mchengerwa stressed that factories alone would not guarantee success without qualified professionals, reliable infrastructure, access to raw materials and effective quality control systems.

Minister Mchengerwa said the government was facilitating investment in pharmaceutical manufacturing by preparing suitable industrial areas and encouraging private-sector participation.

He cited preparations in Mloganzila as part of efforts to create a conducive environment for investors seeking to establish manufacturing facilities. However, a competitive pharmaceutical industry requires more than industrial land and machinery.

Reliable electricity and water supplies, modern equipment, pharmaceutical-grade raw materials, adequate financing and effective regulatory systems are essential to sustainable production.

The minister called for collaboration among government institutions, pharmacists, researchers, training institutions and investors to ensure that the emerging industries respond to Tanzania’s medicine needs.

Such cooperation could strengthen local manufacturing capacity while creating opportunities for Tanzanian professionals to participate in production, innovation and management.

Mr Mchengerwa said pharmaceutical industries would create demand for professionals specialising in medicine production, product registration, raw material management, quality assurance, research and clinical trials.

The expansion would broaden career opportunities beyond traditional pharmacy practice, which includes dispensing medicines, advising patients and managing pharmaceutical supplies in hospitals and community pharmacies.

Industrial pharmacists would help oversee manufacturing processes, validate equipment and ensure compliance with good manufacturing practices.

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Quality assurance specialists would establish systems to maintain production standards, while quality control personnel would test raw materials and finished products to verify compliance with specifications.

Other opportunities would emerge in formulation development, stability testing, regulatory affairs, supply-chain management and pharmacovigilance.

These roles would enable pharmacy professionals to contribute throughout the medicine production chain, from research and development to manufacturing and post-market monitoring.

The minister urged young pharmacists to consider establishing pharmaceutical manufacturing businesses rather than depending exclusively on formal employment.

He encouraged them to develop viable business plans and research proposals capable of attracting investment.

Achieving the 2030 target will require training institutions to prepare graduates for the technical demands of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Mr Mchengerwa called for curricula reviews to incorporate practical skills in production, quality assurance, raw material management and emerging pharmaceutical technologies.

He stressed that graduates must understand equipment operation, laboratory analysis, contamination prevention, production documentation and regulatory compliance.

Universities and technical institutions could strengthen training through improved laboratory facilities, industrial placements and partnerships with pharmaceutical manufacturers.

The minister also cautioned against lowering admission requirements for science-related courses to increase enrolment, emphasising that mathematics, chemistry and physics are essential foundations for producing competent professionals.

Expanding training opportunities must therefore go hand in hand with maintaining academic standards and ensuring graduates possess the technical knowledge required by the industry.

Minister Mchengerwa warned pharmacy professionals against corruption and stressed that medicines failing to meet required standards must not enter the market.

He highlighted the importance of the Pharmacy Council and the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) in maintaining professional accountability and safeguarding public health.

The Pharmacy Council regulates pharmacy professionals, while TMDA oversees medicines and medical devices within its mandate. Both contribute to maintaining standards and protecting patients.

Increased domestic production must be accompanied by effective inspections, laboratory testing, quality management systems and post-market surveillance.

Medicines that fail to meet quality standards can expose patients to ineffective treatment and harmful reactions, while poor manufacturing practices can undermine confidence in locally produced products.

The government must therefore facilitate investment without compromising regulatory safeguards. Manufacturers must consistently meet established standards to earn the confidence of patients, healthcare providers and procurement institutions.

Mr Mchengerwa called on Tanzania to prepare for the production of more sophisticated pharmaceutical products, including certain vaccines, insulin and specialised medicines used in cancer treatment.

Developing these capabilities would require specialised training, advanced laboratory infrastructure, appropriate technology and collaboration among universities, researchers, regulators and pharmaceutical companies.

Biological medicines, in particular, involve complex production processes and stringent controls to ensure quality, consistency and safety.

Strategic partnerships and technology transfer could help Tanzanian professionals acquire specialised expertise while strengthening domestic research and manufacturing capacity.

The long-term ambition should be to develop an industry capable of producing essential medicines, improving formulations and responding to emerging health needs.

Minister Mchengerwa said Tanzania could expand pharmaceutical exports to neighbouring countries within the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Access to regional markets could help manufacturers increase production volumes, achieve economies of scale and improve competitiveness.

However, success would depend on affordable pricing, reliable distribution, consistent quality and compliance with the regulatory requirements of destination markets.

The minister said the government was ready to work with investors producing medicines that meet required standards.

He also identified procurement arrangements, subject to applicable regulations, as a potential way to support locally manufactured products.

Such arrangements could provide greater certainty about demand and encourage investment. Nevertheless, procurement must continue to protect public value, ensure medicine quality and comply with relevant laws.

Achieving 80 per cent domestic medicine production by 2030 will require sustained financing, effective implementation and coordinated action across government, industry, training institutions and regulatory bodies.

Progress must be measured using clear definitions that distinguish medicines manufactured locally from products merely packaged or distributed in Tanzania.

Policymakers will also need to identify priority medicines, assess production capacity and ensure that locally manufactured products remain safe, affordable and consistently available.