Tanzania orders pharmaceutical firms to obtain WHO certification

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzanian government has asked all pharmaceutical industries with an interest to support the government’s efforts to strengthen the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in the country to obtain certification from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Minister for Health, Mohamed Mchengerwa, made the statement during his meeting with medical equipment investors from the A to Z company, based in Tanzania, who showed interest in supporting the government’s efforts to strengthen the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in the country. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with pharmaceutical industry investors.

According to the minister, investors are ready to work with the government and are making major investments that will meet domestic market demand.

“We have welcomed them and are ready to cooperate with them, but the first requirement is that they must obtain WHO certification and with that they have assured me that within one year they will have secured it,” the minister said.

Additionally, the minister said that the government plans to establish long-term industries.

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He further confirmed that the investors have already begun the process of pursuing Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification, which is expected to be obtained within one year.

“The government plans to have many high-quality industries that will last for 100 years. We do not want a factory that exists today and collapses tomorrow when another government comes in. That is why we are working closely with them and supporting them so that we can identify challenges and address them,” he said.

He further invited A to Z and other investors to the Tanzania Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Investment Forum, organized by the Ministry of Health, scheduled to take place on January 19th in Dar es Salaam.

The forum aims to bring together local and international investors in the pharmaceutical sector, manufacturers, development partners, and key stakeholders from the health and investment sectors.