COMMERCE minister Chipoka Mulenga has encouraged the ministry of Health to prioritise Zambian manufacturers when purchasing drugs in hospitals.
Speaking at the launch of the Yash Life Sciences, the State of the Art Pharmaceutical Manufacturing plant in Kafue yesterday, Mulenga said looking to local manufacturers each time the ministry needed drugs would help drive the socio and economic development forward.
The minister reaffirmed governments commitment to creating a good environment for the locals to thrive.
“The message to you is that we have enough even to export to other countries. Let’s work together and let’s do business with each other. Ministry of Health, as you purchase drugs only purchase those that we don’t produce and what we don’t have.”
“First look at Yash and other phamaceauticals and purchase only when they don’t have. Let’s procure from ourselves. It’s the only way we will keep our young women and men in schools, the only way, we will pay our pensioners on time, the only way to bring social and economic development,” said Mulenga.
He also urged the manufacturers of drugs to look to their fellow manufacturers so as to share the value chain within the country.
Mulenga added that there was need for the ministry of Health to also remember manufacturers from within the region if at all the medicine needed was not available in the country.
“If Zambians do not have, your first stop should be Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi and many other neighbouring countries. We need to trade together. Let us procure within the right time and quality,” advised Mulenga.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, November 14, 2024
