Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has said Africa imports between 70-80% of its medicines.
Adesina made this revelation while accepting the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership in Lagos on Wednesday.
Addressing the audience, Adesina underscored the profound economic implications of Africa’s heavy reliance on imported medicines.
He estimated that Africa incurs a loss of $2.6 trillion annually due to reduced productivity caused by illnesses and diseases.
The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare Africa’s healthcare shortcomings, with the continent struggling to procure even basic vaccines during the crisis.
He stressed that over-reliance on imported medicines undermines Africa’s health security and perpetuates dependency on external sources.
Adesina’s comments diverge slightly from statistics provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), which suggests that 95% of medicines consumed in Africa are imported, with the continent accounting for just 3% of global medicine production.
According to Adesina, addressing Africa’s healthcare challenges demands a concerted effort to boost local pharmaceutical production.
He explained the need for African nations to prioritize health security, advocating for increased investment in domestic vaccine manufacturing and medicine production.
As Africa grapples with healthcare disparities, Adesina’s advocacy serves as a clarion call for concerted action to address the continent’s healthcare vulnerabilities and promote self-reliance in medicine production.
