Cameroon’s Pharmaceutical Industry Expands to 19 Production Units, but Local Output Meets Under 5% of Demand

Cameroon has increased its number of pharmaceutical production units from seven in 2020 to 19 in 2026, but locally manufactured medicines still meet less than 5% of national consumption needs, according to figures presented by Public Health Minister Dr. Manaouda Malachie. The country has 239 approved pharmaceutical products, which cover only about 15% of the National Essential Medicines List.

The Ministry of Public Health disclosed the figures following a high-level ministerial dialogue held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on August 24. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 76th session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for Africa. The talks brought together African health ministers and other stakeholders to examine ways of strengthening pharmaceutical regulation and expanding regional production of medical products.

Manaouda told participants that Cameroon’s pharmaceutical manufacturers continued to face limited access to financing, energy supply challenges, difficulties sourcing raw materials, competition from imported products and delays in payments for public orders. He said the government had introduced customs and tax exemptions for certain inputs and equipment, alongside preference mechanisms for locally manufactured products that meet quality, safety, efficacy and competitiveness requirements.

The government is finalizing a national strategy for the development of the pharmaceutical industry and examining new public-private partnership arrangements, the ministry said. It is also seeking to use public procurement to support domestic manufacturers. The measures would apply to producers that meet quality, safety, efficacy and competitiveness requirements.

Delayed payments for government orders were among the constraints identified by the minister. On regulation, Cameroon plans to strengthen the capacity of its national regulatory authority and is conducting a feasibility study for the creation of a Cameroonian Medicines Agency. The government is also seeking greater regional coordination to support pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa and increase the availability of medicines produced on the continent.

Mercy Fosoh