Africa is taking significant steps towards producing and supplying its own vaccines. This strategic move aims to ensure the continent’s self-sufficiency in vaccine production and reduce its dependence on external sources.
Egypt is at the forefront of this initiative, leading the way in the manufacturing of medicines and vaccines.
Egypt has emerged as a key player in Africa’s vaccine manufacturing efforts. The recent vaccine conference held in Egypt highlighted the collaborative efforts among African countries to build capacity.
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Dr Stavros Nicolaou, Senior Executive Director of Aspen Pharmacare, emphasized the importance of aggregating volumes for economic scale. This strategy, known as the pull procurement mechanism, allows African countries to negotiate better terms with local manufacturers.
Dr Stavros Nicolaou spoke to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) about the significance of the pull procurement mechanism.
He stated, “All countries on the continent collaborate and they aggregate their volumes so they get the economic scale and that allows them to negotiate with local manufacturers on the continent.”
This collaborative approach is crucial for achieving economic viability and sustainability in vaccine manufacturing.
In addition to local efforts, global initiatives are also supporting Africa’s vaccine manufacturing goals.
The U.S.-based President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) recently announced its commitment to procure $100 million worth of antiretrovirals (ARVs) annually from accredited African producers.
This significant procurement will help boost the capacity and credibility of African vaccine manufacturers.
While substantial progress has been made, much work still needs to be done. Africa’s journey to vaccine self-sufficiency requires sustained efforts, collaboration, and support from both local and global stakeholders.
The continent’s commitment to building capacity and achieving economic scale in vaccine production is a promising step towards a healthier and more self-reliant future.
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